Microbiome characterization of skin biopsies in Spanish patients with hidradenitis suppurativa shows a decrease in D1 and H1 lineages of Cutibacterium acnes

Abstract

Dear Editor, Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by nodules, abscesses and tunnels. The exact aetiology of HS remains unclear, but recent studies suggest that dysbiosis of the skin microbiome may play a significant role in its pathogenesis.1–4 Previous research has indicated a notable reduction in the presence of Cutibacterium acnes in HS-affected skin, pointing towards a possible link between microbiome composition and disease severity. This study aimed to investigate the microbiome in lesional skin biopsies of patients with HS compared with perilesional healthy skin and healthy controls, with a particular focus on the differences in Cutibacterium lineages.

Skin samples were collected from 30 patients with HS, including both lesional and perilesional areas, and from 20 healthy controls. The collection process involved obtaining 4-mm punch biopsies from both affected and unaffected regions of patients with HS, ensuring minimal discomfort and scarring. In healthy controls, biopsies were taken from similar anatomical sites to control for site-specific microbiome variations. The collected samples were immediately stored in sterile containers and frozen at −80 °C until DNA extraction. The microbiome characterization was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, which provides a comprehensive overview of bacterial community composition. DNA was extracted from the biopsies using a standardized protocol involving mechanical disruption followed by chemical lysis and purification. The V3–V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene were amplified and sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq (San Diego, CA, USA) platform, generating high-throughput data for downstream analysis.