The skin is the second most affected organ in lupus patients. Cutaneous involvement occurs in approximately 80% of patients with systemic lupus.

Interaction between the host and skin microorganism is a complex process. There are few studies on the diversity of skin microbes in SLE patients. A new pilot study aimed to explore the relationship between skin microorganisms and SLE

A total of 20 SLE patients, 20 controls with rosacea and 20 healthy controls were selected as study subjects. Both the skin microbiota of rash region and non-rash region for each SLE patient were collected.

It was discovered that healthy skin regions of people without lupus had a more rich and diverse mix of microbes compared to the rash skin regions of people with lupus. Meanwhile, the non-rash skin regions of people with lupus and the rash regions of people without lupus were even less rich and diverse. Also microbial makeup differed between people with active lupus versus those in remission from lupus.

The conclusion was that compositions and diversity of skin microbiota in SLE patients are changed.

For the full study please click here.