From the Cochrane Library: Antistreptococcal interventions for guttate and chronic plaque psoriasis

To the Editor: Psoriasis is an inflammatory dermatologic disease that affects 2% to 3% of individuals worldwide,1 and guttate psoriasis is a subtype related to Streptococcal infection. Literature reports both amelioration and exacerbation of guttate psoriasis and chronic plaque psoriasis flares from antibiotic management,1 and few high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) exist. A 2019 Cochrane systematic review examined 5 existing (n = 162) RCT outcomes of antistreptococcal interventions (systemic antibiotic treatment or tonsillectomy) compared to placebo, no intervention, or another treatment in patients with clinically diagnosed acute guttate or chronic plaque psoriasis.