The assessment of the facial skin microbiota in patients with seborrheic dermatitis and metabolic syndrome

Background. Currently, the attention of dermatologists is often directed to the study of changes in bacterial colonization of the skin, as one of the important links in the pathogenesis of skin diseases, including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne, and seborrheic dermatitis. In recent years, data have emerged indicating a direct link between changes in the composition of the skin microbiota and obesity, as well as related diseases, primarily type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aims. To give a clinical and microbiological characteristic of seborrheic dermatitis of the face in persons with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus and in persons without concomitant pathology. Methods. The study included 90 patients with seborrheic dermatitis, divided into 3 groups (1 — patients with seborrheic dermatitis; 2 — patients with seborrheic dermatitis and metabolic syndrome; 3 — patients with seborrheic dermatitis, metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus). The severity of the disease was determined by SEDASI score (Seborrheic Dermatitis Area and Severity Index). Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed based on the criteria of NCEP ATP III. The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus was established according to the diagnostic criteria of diabetes mellitus and other glycemic disorders (World Health Organization, 1999–2013). Classical bacteriological methods and mass spectrometric method (MALDI-TOF MS) were used to study the skin microbiome. Results. Our study revealed an association between the presence of certain microorganisms in the skin microbiome and seborrheic dermatitis, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In patients with moderate to severe seborrheic dermatitis, an increase in bacterial species isolated from the skin surface and their number in the unit volume of the investigated material. It was found that the colonization of microorganisms on the facial skin was significantly higher in patients of groups 2 and 3 compared to group 1. Among the isolated representatives of the genus Staphylococcus, the most pathogenic species of S. aureus prevailed in patients of groups 2 and 3. Conclusion. The severity of the course and widespread lesions on the facial skin in patients with seborrheic dermatitis, metabolic syndrome and with seborrheic dermatitis, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus are interrelated with disorders of facial skin microbiota. The growth of microorganisms in patients with seborrheic dermatitis and carbohydrate metabolism disorder is associated with severe course of facial seborrheic dermatitis and plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of the disease.