Correlation between serum reactivity to Demodex-associated\ud Bacillus oleronius proteins, and altered\ud sebum levels and Demodex populations in\ud erythematotelangiectatic rosacea patients

摘要

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the skin of the face and the eyes. The\udaetiology of rosacea is not clearly established but increasing evidence suggests a potential role\udfor bacteria in the induction of the condition. A role for Bacillus oleronius, originally isolated from\udwithin a Demodex folliculorum mite, in the aetiology of the condition has been suggested. The aim\udof the study was to determine whether a correlation existed between the level of sebum and the\uddensity of D. folliculorum in the skin of erythematotelangiectatic rosacea patients, and the\udreactivity of these patients’ sera to proteins of B. oleronius. Serum reactivity to the 62 and 83 kDa\udB. oleronius proteins was found in 82.6% (62/75) of the rosacea patients and in 26.9% (14/52)\udof controls (P50.0016). In the group of rosacea patients whose sera reacted to B. oleronius\udproteins, the level of sebum was statistically lower than in controls (P50.01). The density of D.\udfolliculorum on the face of Bacillus positive rosacea patients was statistically higher than controls\ud(P50.0001). Rosacea patients demonstrated increased Demodex populations on their faces and\udreduced sebum levels. Their sera also showed reactivity to B. oleronius proteins, suggesting a\udpotential role for this bacterium in the aetiology of rosacea.