Gram-Negative Folliculitis

Three patients with sudden, unmanageable exacerbation of acne vulgaris were shown to have Gram-negative folliculitis due toPseudomonas aeruginosa.In each patient, the source of thePseudomonasproved to be an otitis externa infection. In contrast to previous cases of Gram-negative folliculitis due toProteus, Escherichia coli, orKlebsiella, the anterior nares were not colonized. Treatment of the otitis externa and the Gram-negative folliculitis with acetic acid compresses and topical antibiotics led to prompt resolution without recurrence. (Arch Dermatol115:1203-1204, 1979)