Diagnostic and treatment methods for characterizing bacterial microbiota in skin conditions

• US 7,919,250 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2008
• Issued: 04/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: New York University
• Original Assignee: New York University
• Inventors: Gao, Zhan, Blaser, Martin J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Duffy; Patricia A
• Assistant Examiner(s): PORTNER, VIRGINIA ALLEN
• Application Number:
  US12/183,806
• Publication Number:
  US 20090035329A1
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 435/6.16
• 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 diagnosing psoriasis in a patient comprising:

a. determining a ratio of a Streptococcus species to a Propionibacterium species (gS/P ratio) in a psoriatic skin lesion in the patient;

b. determining a ratio of a Streptococcus species to a Propionibacterium species (gS/P ratio) in a healthy skin in the patient or in a skin of a healthy control;

c. comparing the gS/P ratios in part a) and b); and

d. diagnosing psoriasis in the patient if the gS/P ratio in part a. is raised as compared to part b.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining comprises performing quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

3. The method of claim 2, 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.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining said gS/P ratio comprises determining a ratio of a non-Group A Streptococcus species (NGS) to a Propionibacterium species.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said NGS is Streptococcus mitis.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said Propionibacterium species is Propionibacterium acnes.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein said Propionibacterium species is Propionibacterium acnes.