DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT METHODS FOR CHARACTERIZING BACTERIAL MICROBIOTA IN SKIN CONDITIONS

• US 20090035329A1
• Filed: 07/31/2008
• Published: 02/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: New York University
• Original Assignee: New York University
• Inventors: Blaser, Martin J., Gao, Zhan
• Granted Patent: US 7,919,250 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/234.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 35/74 Bacteria therapeutic use of a bacterial protein A61K38/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 17/06 Antipsoriatics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 17/10 Anti-acne agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 17/14 for baldness or alopecia
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/04 Antibacterial agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 37/02 Immunomodulators
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/04 Determining presence or kind of microorganism; Use of selective media for testing antibiotics or bacteriocides; Compositions containing a chemical indicator therefor C12Q1/6897 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/14 Streptococcus; Staphylococcus
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2800/205 Scaling palpular diseases, e.g. psoriasis, pytiriasis

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for characterization of bacterial skin microbiota to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive measures for alleviating skin conditions. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to characterization of bacterial skin microbiota associated with psoriasis and related diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive measures for alleviating psoriasis. These methods will be useful for detecting, diagnosing, and monitoring individuals who have or are at risk of certain skin conditions.

Claims

1. A method for treating psoriasis comprising increasing the amount of at least one Propionibacterium species in a psoriatic skin lesion in a patient in need of such treatment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the Propionibacterium species is Propionibacterium acnes.

3. A method for treating psoriasis comprising administering an effective amount of at least one Propionibacterium species to affected skin in a patient in need of such treatment.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the effective amount of at least one Propionibacterium species comprises killed Propionibacterium cells.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the Propionibacterium cells are Propionibacterium acnes.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the effective amount of at least one Propionibacterium species comprises an extract from Propionibacterium.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the Propionibacterium is Propionibacterium acnes.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein the Propionibacterium species is Propionibacterium acnes.

9. A method for promoting growth of at least one Propionibacterium species in a psoriatic skin lesion in a patient comprising administering an effective amount of at least one Propionibacterium species to the psoriatic skin lesion in a patient in need of such treatment.

10. A method for monitoring treatment of psoriasis comprising:

determining an amount of at least one Propionibacterium species in a psoriatic skin lesion in a patient;

wherein a low amount of at least one Propionibacterium species in a psoriatic lesion indicates psoriasis and wherein an increase in the amount of at least one Propionibacterium species in a psoriatic lesion indicates treatment progress.

11. A method for monitoring treatment of psoriasis comprising:

a. determining an amount of at least one Propionibacterium species in a psoriatic skin lesion in a patient;

b. determining the amount of at least one Propionibacterium species in a healthy skin sample in the patient;

c. comparing the amounts in part a) and b);

d. wherein a lower amount of at least one Propionibacterium species in a psoriatic lesion when compared with a healthy skin sample indicates psoriasis and wherein an increase in the amount of at least one Propionibacterium species in a psoriatic lesion indicates treatment progress.

12. A method for diagnosing psoriasis comprising:

determining the amount of at least one Propionibacterium species in a psoriatic skin lesion in a patient;

wherein a low amount of at least one Propionibacterium species in a psoriatic lesion indicates psoriasis.

13. A method for diagnosing psoriasis comprising:

a. determining the amount of at least one Propionibacterium species in a psoriatic skin lesion in a patient;

b. determining the amount of at least one Propionibacterium species in a healthy skin sample in the patient;

c. comparing the amounts in part a) and b); and

d. wherein a lower amount of at least one Propionibacterium species in a psoriatic lesion when compared with a healthy skin sample indicates psoriasis.

14. A method for diagnosing psoriasis comprising:

a. determining the amount of at least one non-Group A Streptococcus species (NGS) in a psoriatic skin lesion in a patient;

b. determining the amount of at least one NGS in a healthy skin sample in the patient;

c. comparing the amounts in part a) and b); and

d. wherein a higher amount of at least one NGS in a psoriatic skin lesion when compared with a healthy skin sample indicates psoriasis.

15. A method for inhibiting the growth of at least one non-Group A Streptococcus species (NGS) in a psoriatic skin lesion in a patient comprising:

administering an effective amount of a suitable antibiotic and optionally administering a suitable physical means of inhibiting NGS growth to the patient in need of such treatment.

16. A method for inhibiting the growth of at least one non-Group A Streptococcus species (NGS) in a psoriatic skin lesion in a patient comprising:

administering an effective amount of a suitable chemical agent.

17. A method for inhibiting the growth of at least one non-Group A Streptococcus species (NGS) in a psoriatic skin lesion in a patient comprising:

administering an effective amount of a suitable physical treatment.

18. A method for inhibiting the growth of at least one non-Group A Streptococcus species (NGS) in a psoriatic skin lesion in a patient comprising:

administering an effective amount of a suitable antibiotic and optionally administering a suitable chemical means of inhibiting NGS growth to the patient in need of such treatment.

19. A method for inhibiting the growth of at least one non-Group A Streptococcus species (NGS) in a psoriatic skin lesion in a patient comprising:

administering an effective amount of a suitable antibiotic and administering a suitable physical and a suitable chemical means of inhibiting NGS growth to the patient in need of such treatment.

20. A vaccine composition for inhibiting the growth of at least one non-Group A Streptococcus species (NGS) in the skin of a patient in need of such treatment.

21. A method for diagnosing psoriasis comprising:

determining a ratio of a non-Group A Streptococcus species (NGS) to a Propionibacterium species (gS/P ratio) in a psoriatic skin lesion in a patient; and

wherein a raised gS/P ratio indicates psoriasis.

22. A method for diagnosing psoriasis comprising:

a. determining a ratio of a non-Group A Streptococcus species (NGS) to a Propionibacterium species (gS/P ratio) in a psoriatic skin lesion in a patient;

b. determining a ratio of a non-Group A Streptococcus species (NGS) a Propionibacterium species (gS/P ratio) in a healthy skin sample in the patient;

c. comparing the amounts in part a) and b); and

d. wherein a raised gS/P ratio indicates psoriasis.

23. A method for treating psoriasis comprising lowering the ratio of a non-Group A Streptococcus species (NGS) to a Propionibacterium species (gS/P ratio) in the skin of a patient in need of such treatment.

24. A vaccine composition for lowering the ratio of a non-Group A Streptococcus species (NGS) to a Propionibacterium species (gS/P ratio) in the skin of a patient in need of such treatment.

25. A method for treating psoriasis in a patient comprising administering an effective amount of inactivated or killed Propionibacterium cells to the patient in need of such treatment.

26. A method for treating psoriasis in a patient comprising administering an effective amount of killed or inactivated Propionibacterium acnes cells to the patient in need of such treatment.

27. A method for treating psoriasis in a patient comprising administering an effective amount of an extract from Propionibacterium to the patient in need of such treatment.

28. A method for treating psoriasis in a patient comprising administering an effective amount of an extract from Propionibacterium acnes to the patient in need of such treatment.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the skin disease is selected from the group consisting of atopic dermatitis, acne, alopecia, seborrhea, dandruff, and pemphigus.

29. A method for diagnosing a skin disease comprising:

a. determining the amount of at least one desired bacterial species in a skin sample suspected of being diseased from a patient;

b. determining the amount of at least one desired bacterial species in a healthy skin sample from the patient;

c. comparing the amounts in part a) and b); and

d. wherein an altered amount of the at least one desired bacterial species in a skin sample suspected of being diseased when compared with a healthy skin sample indicates a skin disease.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the determining comprises performing quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

32. The method of claim 31, wherein amplified target DNA from the qPCR reaction is characterized by fluorescent emission detected by binding of one or more of a labeled probe selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:

5, SEQ ID NO;

6 and SEQ ID NO;

8 to the amplified target DNA.

33. A kit for determining a bacterial signature comprising at least one nucleic acid selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:

5, SEQ ID NO;

6 and SEQ ID NO;

8.

34. An isolated nucleic acid fragment comprising SEQ ID NO:

6 or SEQ ID NO;

8.