Common Wound Colonizers in Patients with Epidermolysis Bullosa

One of the major morbidities of patients with epidermolysis bullosa is the tendency to develop chronic wounds, which predisposes them to multiple complications including life-threatening infections, failure to thrive, and squamous cell carcinomas. Chronic wounds frequently become colonized with bacteria, and we sought to identify the most common microorganisms isolated on cultures from patients with epidermolysis bullosa. We conducted a retrospective review of positive wound, nasal, and blood cultures, including bacterial, fungal and viral, in 30 patients with epidermolysis bullosa. Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus sp., diptheroids, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida sp. were the most commonly isolated microorganisms in wound cultures from our epidermolysis bullosa patients. Two patients had viral cultures that grew herpes simplex virus type-1. Bacterial colonization of chronic wounds can lead to infections and may also impact wound healing. Results from this study provide data on which to base empiric antibiotic choice in patients with epidermolysis bullosa when needed and may be useful in planning strategies for decolonization and improved wound healing in this population.