Microbial analyses of infectious keloids on the anterior chest— a case-control study

Backgroud: Some studies confirmed the presence of pathogen may cause infection by bacterial cultures on the surface of infectious keloids. But further exploration of comparison with non-infectious keloids and the bacterial flora of infectious foci was lacking. Objective To investigate the differential flora of purulent secretions on the surface of infectious keloids compared to the surface of non-infectious keloids. And to determine the microbial composition within the infectious foci. Methods This case-control study of 17 patients obtained swab specimens from the surface of keloids from two groups and the infectious foci from the infectious group. Bacterial composition was analyzed by 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing. Results There was no statistical difference in the general condition of patients from two groups. The number of the phylum Actinobacteriota, the order Propionibacteriales, Corynebacteriales, and the genus Taibaiella was more on the keloids surface in the infectious group. The three most represented genera in infective sites were the genus Staphylococcus, Peptoniphilus, and Cutibacterium. Microbial-associated gene pathways revealed a correlation with inflammation and tumor like growth of keloids. Conclusion There was a link between infectious keloids and microorganisms, providing direction for the prediction and treatment of keloid infections.