Microbiological and Immunological Profiles of Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis Patients in Diyala Province, Iraq

Abstract

Objective: Psoriasis (Ps) and atopic dermatitis (AD) are chronic inflammatory skin diseases, occurring worldwide with high prevalence.

Methods: A case-control study included 70 participants divided into 25 patients diagnosed with psoriasis and 45 patients with atopic dermatitis, whereas the other 30 did not serve as controls.  Swab Specimens were examined microscopically and aerobically, and antibiotic susceptibility was conducted on isolated bacteria. Interleukin- 23 and Interleukin-13, C-reactive protein and Complement 3 protein were measured.

Results: Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 61.4% of patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Resistance of these isolates was significantly high to nalidixic and norfloxacin (100%), whereas most isolates remained sensitive to amikacin (100%). Results of IL-13 and IL-23 revealed higher significant differences between psoriatic and atopic patients and controls in the levels of IL-13 (11.40 ± 4.50pg/mL, 43.80 ± 9.76 for PsO and AD, respectively and 9.70 ± 3.20 pg/mL for controls) and IL-23 (87.90 pg/mL and 25.6 ± 5.80 for PsO and AD, respectively and 13.80 ± 3.66 pg/mL for controls). The result showed that 64.7% of atopic dermatitis patients had a positive CRP test compared to 26.5% of Psoriasis patients and 8.8 % in the control group. C3 level increased in both Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis patients' levels (41.40 ± 4.11 and 39.45 ± 5.76 mg/dl) compared to 25.55 ± 3.18 mg/dl in the control group.

Conclusion: This study found atopic dermatitis (AD) significantly more prevalent than psoriasis in patients. The Staphylococcus aureus pathogen exhibited concerning antibiotic resistance. Elevated IL-13 and IL-23 suggest an immune activation pattern common to both diseases.