title: Bacteriology of inflamed and uninflamed epidermal inclusion cysts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether inflamed and uninflamed epidermoid cysts differ in the number and/or type of bacteria inhabiting them.
  
  
  METHODS
  A controlled study. We obtained aerobic and anaerobic bacterial culture specimens from 25 inflamed and 25 uninflamed epidermoid cysts.
  
  
  METHODS
  A university medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nonimmunocompromised adults without recent systemic use of antibiotics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 2 groups did not differ significantly with respect to number of bacterial isolates, "no growth" cultures, and aerobic, anaerobic, or potential pathogens cultured.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The microbiological milieu of inflamed epidermoid cysts is similar to that of uninflamed cysts. Possible mechanisms for inflammation are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA. DDiven@utmb.edu
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Diven
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Dozier
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001420:Bacteria, Aerobic / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003560:Cysts / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004890:Erythema / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D007633:Keratins; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010462:Peptostreptococcus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013492:Suppuration
chemical_list: D007633:Keratins