Treatment of acne conglobata with infliximab.

Abstract

Acne conglobata is an uncommon nodulocystic condition that is often resistant to therapy. This disorder typically begins in adulthood and presents as numerous comedones, papules, pustules, nodules, abscesses, and draining sinus tracts involving the chest, back, and buttocks. These lesions frequently become secondarily infected with gram-positive bacteria and often heal with scarring. Pathology usually reveals inflammatory infiltrate around follicles, which can often disrupt the normal dermal architecture. Acne conglobata is particularly disfiguring and socially detrimental to patients because of its chronicity, severity, and treatment challenge.