Biography
Biography: Lionel Fry
Abstract
The investigation of the microbiome in psoriasis has raised the possibility that psoriasis is triggered by the bacteria in the skin in individuals with the genetic abnormalities. The microbiome has been investigated two methods, swabs and biopsies. In swabs in normal skin the commonest phylum is Actinobacteria and in psoriasis it is Firmicutes. In biopsies the commonest phylum is Firmicutes in both normal skin and psoriasis. At the genus level in swabs the commonest is Propionibacterium and in psoriasis Corynebacterium. In biopsies it is Streptococcus in both normal skin and psoriasis. The ratio of Streptococcus to Propionibacterium is raised in psoriasis compared to normal skin. Bacteria in the skin may have several actions: They can affect the innate immune system, affect T-cell function and may regulate the development of the immune system. Bacteria in the skin may be of primary etiological significance.