The impact of antibiotic therapy in psoriasis patients with active streptococcal infection: A prospective study

Abstract

The association between psoriasis and streptococcal infection has been widely explored in both children and adults. However, the exact impact of Streptococcus pharyngeal infection on the course of psoriasis is not fully comprehended. This study explored the impact of Streptococcus pharyngeal infection on psoriasis and investigated the effectiveness of systemic antibiotic therapy in conjunction with standard topical treatment for psoriatic patients with concomitant streptococcal throat infection. The research involved 115 patients with mild-to-moderate psoriasis, clinically assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Patients with active streptococcal infection were administered adjunctive systemic antibiotic therapy along with standard local treatment for psoriasis, while psoriasis patients without evidence of infection received the local topical treatment only. Streptococcal infections were more common in psoriasis patients compared to healthy controls. A group of psoriasis patients with active streptococcal throat infections, treated with antibiotics in addition to standard topical psoriasis therapy, did not show any difference in PASI score reduction compared to those without evidence of active infection. While our study did not show a statistically significant reduction in PASI scores in psoriasis patients with streptococcal throat infections treated with antibiotics, it highlights the complex interaction between infection and psoriasis. Larger studies with longer follow-up may better clarify this relationship, contributing to stronger evidence for or against the use of antibiotics in managing psoriasis triggered by streptococcal infections.

Keywords: Psoriasis Area and Severity Index; antibiotic therapy; psoriasis; streptococcal infection; streptococcus pharyngeal infection.