Study Overview
A recent multicenter retrospective study highlights that over half of children with psoriasis or psoriasiform dermatitis tested positive for bacterial infections in the anogenital or pharyngeal regions. Published in Pediatric Dermatology, the research aims to explore the potential connection between bacterial presence and psoriasis in pediatric patients.
Study Methodology
The study reviewed records of patients aged 18 or younger across the United States and Canada from January 2011 to January 2021. All participants underwent microbiological testing to detect bacterial infections in the anogenital or pharyngeal areas. In total, 166 children were included, with an average age of 9.2 years. Slightly more than half were girls, predominantly White, with a minority identifying as Hispanic or Latino. The types of psoriasis observed included plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular, nail, and erythrodermic forms.
Microbiological Findings
Cultures from anogenital sites identified bacteria such as Streptococci Groups A-G and Staphylococcus aureus. Notably, 43% of children suspected of having bacterial infections showed negative culture results....