A 26-year-old woman presents with recurrent painful “boils” in both axillae and the groin for the past 10 months. The lesions start as tender nodules and frequently progress to abscesses that drain malodorous purulent fluid. She reports scarring and “tunnels” that sometimes connect lesions. She smokes 1 pack of cigarettes daily and has gained weight over the past year. She has no fever. Physical examination shows multiple inflamed nodules and draining sinus tracts with surrounding scar tissue in the axillae.

Which of the following best describes the underlying pathogenesis of this patient’s condition?