eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Bacterial Infections

Gram-Negative Folliculitis

Author: Mordechai M Tarlow, MD, Physician, Department of Medicine, Section of Dermatology, Kimball Medical Center
Coauthor(s): Sofia Piela, MD, Head, Department of Dermatology, Rzeszow Regional Health Center, Poland; Michael Wiederkehr, MD, Consulting Staff, Livingston Dermatology Associates; Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH, Professor and Head of Dermatology, Professor of Medicine, Professor of Pediatrics, Professor of Pathology, Professor of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jan 24, 2007

Introduction

Background

Gram-negative folliculitis, first described by Fulton et al in 1968, is an infection caused by gram-negative organisms. The infection may occur as a complication in patients with acne vulgaris and rosacea and usually develops in patients who have received systemic antibiotics for prolonged periods. Gram-negative folliculitis should be considered in patients with acne who have a flare-up of pustular or cystic lesions and in patients whose acne is resistant to treatment. Gram-negative folliculitis may also occur in the setting of hot-tub immersion and in people infected with HIV.

Pathophysiology

The anterior nares serve as a reservoir of gram-negative organisms. Prolonged systemic antibiotic treatment can alter the relative prevalence of bacterial flora carried in the nasal passages. An inverse relationship has been demonstrated between the presence of gram-positive organisms and gram-negative organisms in the pharyngeal, axillary, and toe-web flora. In patients with acne who are treated with oral antibiotics, the number of Staphylococcus aureus organisms and diphtheroids decreases and the number of coagulase-negative staphylococcal and enterobacterial organisms increases in the nose. Usually, gram-negative bacteria constitute less than 1% of the total bacterial flora in the nose. In patients with gram-negative folliculitis, enterobacteria constitute approximately 4% of the total bacterial flora.

The antibiotic-induced increase in gram-negative organisms usually does not result in adverse effects, and once antibiotic treatment is discontinued, the nasal flora reverts to its previous state. However, in a small number of patients, the increased number of gram-negative organisms results in a transfer of organisms to neighboring areas of the face. The bacteria populate existing acne lesions and can also cause pustules to arise de novo.

In addition to the need for suppression of interspecies interference, gram-negative organisms require a sufficiently moist environment to survive and proliferate. The presence of excessive seborrhea may promote the survival of gram-negative bacteria by trapping moisture in the face. The effectiveness of isotretinoin in the treatment of gram-negative folliculitis has been attributed to its ability to make the skin and the mucous membranes dry as a result of the marked reduction in sebaceous gland secretion.

Recently, another factor has been implicated in the pathogenesis of gram-negative folliculitis. An assessment of hypersensitivity reactions to various microbial recall antigens and granulocyte functions was performed. Lowered serum concentrations of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and alpha1-antitrypsin and elevated levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) were found, suggesting that altered immunologic factors may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of gram-negative folliculitis.

Frequency

United States

Gram-negative folliculitis is a relatively uncommon complication of prolonged antibiotic therapy. In 2 studies, approximately 4% of patients with acne vulgaris who were under treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics reported this infection. However, the frequency of this infection is probably generally underestimated because clinicians rarely perform correct sampling and bacteriology.

Mortality/Morbidity

Gram-negative folliculitis has no associated increase in mortality. Morbidity is related to local pain and to the unwanted cosmetic effect of the folliculitis.

Race

No racial predilection is documented.

Sex

No sexual predilection is documented.

Age

Although gram-negative folliculitis is largely a complication of acne vulgaris and thus is expected to follow the age distribution of that entity, a slightly increased age at onset has been observed. The tendency for this disease to begin after the early teenage years is most likely because most patients who develop gram-negative folliculitis have undergone treatment of acne with a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent for a prolonged period.

Clinical

History

A history is helpful in suggesting the diagnosis of gram-negative folliculitis.

• Patients usually have been receiving a course of antibiotics for a prolonged period. Patients with gram-negative folliculitis may present with 1 of 2 histories as follows:
  • A history of apparent acne, usually of the nodulocystic form, may be present. The acne has not been responding to antimicrobial therapy or other therapy.
  • A history of acne that has responded well to therapy and suddenly flares may be present. This exacerbation may occur a few days following cessation of an effective antibiotic or a few days following institution of a new antibiotic.

Physical

Because the infection usually occurs in patients with existing acne, the development of this new process is often mistaken as an exacerbation of acne.

• Morphology of the lesions
  • Type 1 (approximately 80% of patients) - Superficial pustular lesions without comedones
  • Type 2 (approximately 20% of patients) - Deep, nodular, and cystic lesions
• Distribution of the lesions - Extending from the infranasal area to the chin and the cheeks

Causes

Systemic antibiotics, such as tetracyclines, can alter the nasal flora. The resultant overgrowth of gram-negative bacteria can lead to folliculitis.

• Type 1 lesions are usually associated with a lactose-fermenting, gram-negative rod, including Klebsiella, Escherichia, and Serratia species. Cases associated with Citrobacter species, another organism of the Enterobacteriaceae family, have also been described.
• Type 2 lesions are associated with Proteus species. These species are motile and, thus, have the ability to invade more deeply, producing the large suppurative abscesses that result in deeper cystic lesions.
• Although almost all lesions have been found to be caused by these organisms, a report of 3 patients with lesions caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been published. No associated carriage was found in the anterior nares. Folliculitis caused by Pseudomonas organisms is typically associated with immersion in hot tubs and swimming pools, resulting in a generalized folliculitis. In the reported patients who were swimmers, a sudden unmanageable flare-up of facial acne associated with chronic bilateral otitis externa was reported. A case of Acinetobacter baumannii folliculitis of the face, neck, arms, and upper part of the trunk has been reported in a patient with AIDS.

• Search for CME/CE on This Topic »

• Pseudomonas Folliculitis (Dermatology)
• Acneiform Eruptions (Dermatology)