Microbiological characteristics of the ocular surface in the patients with discoid lupus erythematosus.

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a chronic photosensitive dermatosis characterized by scarring and atrophy. In our studywe evaluate both the alteration of the ocular surface and the changes in the ocular microbiota in patients with DLE. We studied 40patients: 20 (group A) affected by discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) (13 F - 7 M) with signs of distress and/or dry eyes (burning,foreign body sensation, dryness and itching) and 20 (group B 11 F - 9 M) patients with signs of distress and/or dry eyes (burning, foreignbody sensation, dryness and itching). We considered the results of different tests, such as Schirmer I, Schirmer II, breakage of thefilm tears (BUT) and conjunctiva swab, for the detection of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. The ocular surface disease index (OSDI)represent a major greater disability in the patients with DLE compared with control subjects (35.1 ± 4.7 vs. 28 ± 4.2 p< 0.001).The data obtained in the study group “A” and “B” were respectively the following: Schirmer I10.2 ± 0.2 vs. 9.6 ± 0.4 (p<0.05); Schirmer II 3.8 ± 0.1 vs. 3.9 ± 0.2 (NS); BUT 4.1 ± 0.3 vs 4.3 ± 0.2 (p <0.05). (Fig. 1).Culture test showed bacterial growth in 12 (30.0%) the A group and 8 (20.0%) in the B group.The significant change in tear tests (Schirmer I and BUT) obtained in the two study groups A and B shows an alteration of theocular surface with a significant reduction in the tear film.This study indicate that patients with DLE show an alteration of the ocular surface with major risk factors of eye infection.