Topical Mupirocin Lowers Lupus Inflammation, Study Finds

Topical Mupirocin Lowers Lupus Inflammation, Study Finds


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Systemic lupus erythematosus, more common knowledge as lupus, has a variety of symptoms and Room for improvement when it comes to treatment.

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus is a common manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. The condition is characterized by rashes on various parts of the body if the face and scalp, Hair loss and scarring of the skin.

The rashes are caused by inflammation from the immune system fighting the body.

The Standard Treatment for Cutaneous Lupus Erythematos is Using Immunosuppressants and Biologic Drugs to Reduce Inflammation. While the medicines can be helpsful, many patients with systemic lupus erythematosus alredy take a high number of drugs and are looking for other treatment methods other than pills.

J. Michelle Kahlenberg, MD, Ph.D., A Professor of Internal Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at University of Michigan Health LED A Team of Researches at One of these alternatives Mupirocin. Their study is Published in the journey Arthritis & Rheumatology,

This trial was based on kahlenberg’s Previous Discovery that Cutaneous Lupus Rashes are often Colonized With a Common Skin Bacteria, Staphylococcous Areus, ALSO KNOWN AS Staph .

Mupirocin kills this type of bacteria.

The study randomly selected systemic lupus erythematosus patients currently experience cutane Y.

Samples from the nose and lesional skin was used to determine baseline and post treatment staphylococcus abundance and microbial community profiles.

Paired Samples Collected Prior to Treatment with the Topical Solution and Seven Days after treatment showed decreases in lesional staphylococcus aureus in the mupirocin treated Samples.

Importantly, the Reduction in Staph also was acompanied by a Reduction in Inflammatory Signals, Including Interferon-Driven Gene Expression, in the Lession.

“In addition to decreasing the inflammation by decreasing lesional staphylococcus aureus, the mupirocin treatment also lowered skin monocyte levels, which are important in driving cutaneous lupus,”

Mupirocin is a prescription treatment, and while this early study showed signs of decreasing inflammation, the study wasn’t designed to see if it can decrease the rash of cutaneous lupus rytethematosus.

“Additional Larger Studies Are Needed to Determine Whtherra Topical Antibiotics will be helpsful to make rashes go away,” Kahlenberg said.

“However, this is an exciting first step to show that there may be additional treatments that can improve information beyond our usual immunosuppressant and biologic drugs.”

More information:
Lisa Abernathy -Close et al, Topical Mupirocin Treatment Reduces Interferon and MyLoid Signatures in Cutaneous Lupus Erythematous Lessions Throux Targeting of StaphylocCal Species, Arthritis & Rheumatology (2024). Doi: 10.1002/art.43079

Provided by University of Michigan


Citation: Topical Mupirocin Lowers Lupus Inflammation, Study Finds (2025, January 29) retrieved 29 January 2025 from

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