Bacteriological profile of skin infections in hospitalized patients with pemphigus: A retrospective study of 92 cases

Abstract

Pemphigus is a rare autoimmune blistering disease affecting the skin and mucosa. Infections are the most frequent complications. One or more bacterial species can be incriminated. The aim of our study was to establish the bacteriological profile of skin infections in patients with pemphigus. This is a retrospective descriptive study spread over a period of 3 years and a half (March 2019 - September 2022) having included patients hospitalized in the dermatology department of the Hassan II University Hospital of Fez for an outbreak of pemphigus with signs of skin infection. During the study period, 92 pus samples from patients with clinically infected pemphigus were received at the microbiology laboratory of the Hassan II University Hospital of Fez. 68% of them were positive with a bacteriologically confirmed infection. The average age of the patients was 53.2 years (20 to 89 years). The sex ratio (female/male) was 1.5. The medical history revealed diabetes in 10 patients (11%). Among the patients included in the study, 16% had at least one infection during their course and 21% of the samples taken were polymicrobial. Most bacterial skin infections detected in our patients were due to Staphylococcus aureus (43% of cases). Our study allowed us to confirm the predisposition to infections in patients with pemphigus. This prompts us to insist on the importance of hygienic care, early diagnosis and treatment of any type of infection.