Evidence for cutaneous dysbiosis in dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa

The skin microbiome has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many dermatoses. Given the role of dysbiosis in the pathogenesis of inflammation which is prominent in dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB), we aimed at characterizing the skin microbiome in a series of patients with DEB. Eight DEB patients were sampled at three different sites: untreated wound, perilesional skin and normal (uninvolved) skin. Age-matched controls were sampled from the same normal skin anatomical site. We used a dedicated DNA extraction protocol to isolate microbial DNA which was then analyzed using next generation microbial 16S rRNA sequencing.