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Cutibacterium acnes (Propionibacterium acnes) and acne vulgaris: a brief look at the latest updates.Journal of the European Academy of... Jun 2018While the commensal bacterium Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is involved in the maintenance of a healthy skin, it can also act as an opportunistic pathogen in acne... (Review)
Review
While the commensal bacterium Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is involved in the maintenance of a healthy skin, it can also act as an opportunistic pathogen in acne vulgaris. The latest findings on P. acnes shed light on the critical role of a tight equilibrium between members of its phylotypes and within the skin microbiota in the development of this skin disease. Indeed, contrary to what was previously thought, proliferation of P. acnes is not the trigger of acne as patients with acne do not harbour more P. acnes in follicles than normal individuals. Instead, the loss of the skin microbial diversity together with the activation of the innate immunity might lead to this chronic inflammatory condition. This review provides results of the most recent biochemical and genomic investigations that led to the new taxonomic classification of P. acnes renamed Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes), and to the better characterisation of its phylogenetic cluster groups. Moreover, the latest data on the role of C. acnes and its different phylotypes in acne are presented, providing an overview of the factors that could participate in the virulence and in the antimicrobial resistance of acne-associated strains. Overall, this emerging key information offers new perspectives in the treatment of acne, with future innovative strategies focusing on C. acnes biofilms and/or on its acne-associated phylotypes.
Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Humans; Propionibacterium acnes
PubMed: 29894579
DOI: 10.1111/jdv.15043 -
Future Microbiology Mar 2023protects skin homeostasis. The species has three subspecies, and associations between subsp. and acne, subsp. and prostate cancer, and subsp. and progressive... (Review)
Review
protects skin homeostasis. The species has three subspecies, and associations between subsp. and acne, subsp. and prostate cancer, and subsp. and progressive macular hypomelanosis have recently been suggested. Different phylotypes/clonal complexes may cause prosthetic joint and other infections, and virulence factors such as fimbriae, biofilms, multidrug-resistance plasmids, porphyrin, Christie-Atkins-Munch-Petersen factors and cytotoxicity contribute to infections. Isolates are subtyped by multiplex PCR or multi- or single-locus sequence typing; however, these methods could be better synchronized. Resistance of acneic strains to macrolides (25.0-73.0%), clindamycin (10.0-59.0%) and tetracyclines (up to 37.0%) is worrisome, but susceptibility testing is now facilitated by European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing disk diffusion breakpoints. New therapeutic approaches include sarecycline, antimicrobial peptides and bacteriophages.
Topics: Male; Humans; Propionibacterium acnes; Acne Vulgaris; Skin; Biofilms; Plasmids
PubMed: 37042433
DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2022-0191 -
F1000Research 2018The skin commensal , recently renamed , along with the other major pathophysiological factors of increased seborrhea, hyperkeratinization of the pilosebaceous unit, and... (Review)
Review
The skin commensal , recently renamed , along with the other major pathophysiological factors of increased seborrhea, hyperkeratinization of the pilosebaceous unit, and inflammation, has long been implicated in the pathogenesis of acne. Recent advances have contributed to our understanding of the role of in acne. Although there are no quantitative differences in of the skin of patients with acne compared with controls, the phylogenic groups display distinct genetic and phenotypic characteristics, biofilms are more frequent in acne, and different phylotypes may induce distinct immune responses in acne. plays a further important role in the homeostasis of the skin's microbiome, interacting with other cutaneous commensal or pathogenic microorganisms such as , , and species. In the era of increasing antimicrobial resistance, the selection of acne treatment targeting and the prevention of antibiotic resistance play a key role in improving outcomes in acne patients and public health.
Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Animals; Biofilms; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections; Humans; Microbiota; Propionibacterium acnes; Skin
PubMed: 30613388
DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.15659.1 -
Letters in Applied Microbiology Mar 2006Propionibacterium acnes, a common skin organism, is most notably recognized for its role in acne vulgaris. It also causes postoperative and device-related infections and... (Review)
Review
Propionibacterium acnes, a common skin organism, is most notably recognized for its role in acne vulgaris. It also causes postoperative and device-related infections and has been associated with a number of other conditions such as sarcoidosis and synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis and osteitis (SAPHO), although its precise role as a causative agent remains to be determined. Propionibacterium acnes produces a number of virulence factors and is well known for its inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Recent publication of the P. acnes genome should provide further insights into the pathogenic capabilities of the organism and potentially lead to the development of new therapies.
Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Animals; Cytokines; Genome, Bacterial; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections; Humans; Hyperostosis; Inflammation; Osteitis; Postoperative Complications; Propionibacterium acnes; Sarcoidosis; Synovitis; Virulence Factors
PubMed: 16478502
DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-765X.2006.01866.x -
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology Sep 2013The human skin microbiome has important roles in skin health and disease. However, bacterial population structure and diversity at the strain level is poorly understood....
The human skin microbiome has important roles in skin health and disease. However, bacterial population structure and diversity at the strain level is poorly understood. We compared the skin microbiome at the strain level and genome level of Propionibacterium acnes, a dominant skin commensal, between 49 acne patients and 52 healthy individuals by sampling the pilosebaceous units on their noses. Metagenomic analysis demonstrated that although the relative abundances of P. acnes were similar, the strain population structures were significantly different in the two cohorts. Certain strains were highly associated with acne, and other strains were enriched in healthy skin. By sequencing 66 previously unreported P. acnes strains and comparing 71 P. acnes genomes, we identified potential genetic determinants of various P. acnes strains in association with acne or health. Our analysis suggests that acquired DNA sequences and bacterial immune elements may have roles in determining virulence properties of P. acnes strains, and some could be future targets for therapeutic interventions. This study demonstrates a previously unreported paradigm of commensal strain populations that could explain the pathogenesis of human diseases. It underscores the importance of strain-level analysis of the human microbiome to define the role of commensals in health and disease.
Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Adult; DNA, Bacterial; Female; Genomics; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections; Humans; Male; Metagenome; Propionibacterium acnes; RNA, Bacterial; RNA, Ribosomal; Ribotyping; Sebaceous Glands; Skin; Young Adult
PubMed: 23337890
DOI: 10.1038/jid.2013.21 -
Journal of the European Academy of... Mar 2014In recent years, significant progress has been made in the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of acne and the role of Propionibacterium acnes. With this... (Review)
Review
In recent years, significant progress has been made in the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of acne and the role of Propionibacterium acnes. With this review, the authors aim to provide an update on the current understanding of the role of P. acnes in the development of acne lesions and analysing the potential implications for future treatments. A total of 188 articles published between January 1980 and March 2013 were searched using key words such as acne, P. acnes, microbiology, Corynebacterium acnes, acne vulgaris, pathogenesis, antibiotic, vaccination and a combination of those key words. From those articles, 77 were analysed in depth. Recent data confirm that P. acnes has a strong proinflammatory activity and targets molecules involved in the innate cutaneous immunity, keratinocytes and sebaceous glands of the pilosebaceous follicle and leads to the development of comedones. Furthermore, the profile of its different strains may differ between healthy subjects and acne patients. The better understanding of the role of P. acnes may allow for new perspectives in the treatment of acne. Novel therapies should target molecules implicated in the activation of innate immunity, including toll-like receptors, protease-activated receptors and topical antimicrobial peptides; the latter may be an alternative to topical antibiotics and thus a solution for limiting bacterial resistance induced by topical macrolides. Vaccines may also be promising. However, the most appropriate candidate remains to be selected.
Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Biofilms; Genome, Bacterial; Humans; Propionibacterium acnes
PubMed: 23905540
DOI: 10.1111/jdv.12224 -
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Jan 2014Increasing evidence demonstrates that commensal microorganisms in the human skin microbiome help fight pathogens and maintain homeostasis of the microbiome. However, it...
Staphylococcus epidermidis in the human skin microbiome mediates fermentation to inhibit the growth of Propionibacterium acnes: implications of probiotics in acne vulgaris.
Increasing evidence demonstrates that commensal microorganisms in the human skin microbiome help fight pathogens and maintain homeostasis of the microbiome. However, it is unclear how these microorganisms maintain biological balance when one of them overgrows. The overgrowth of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), a commensal skin bacterium, has been associated with the progression of acne vulgaris. Our results demonstrate that skin microorganisms can mediate fermentation of glycerol, which is naturally produced in skin, to enhance their inhibitory effects on P. acnes growth. The skin microorganisms, most of which have been identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis), in the microbiome of human fingerprints can ferment glycerol and create inhibition zones to repel a colony of overgrown P. acnes. Succinic acid, one of four short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) detected in fermented media by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, effectively inhibits the growth of P. acnes in vitro and in vivo. Both intralesional injection and topical application of succinic acid to P. acnes-induced lesions markedly suppress the P. acnes-induced inflammation in mice. We demonstrate for the first time that bacterial members in the skin microbiome can undergo fermentation to rein in the overgrowth of P. acnes. The concept of bacterial interference between P. acnes and S. epidermidis via fermentation can be applied to develop probiotics against acne vulgaris and other skin diseases. In addition, it will open up an entirely new area of study for the biological function of the skin microbiome in promoting human health.
Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibiosis; DNA, Bacterial; Fermentation; Glycerol; Humans; Mice; Molecular Sequence Data; Probiotics; Propionibacterium acnes; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Skin; Staphylococcus epidermidis; Succinic Acid
PubMed: 24265031
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-013-5394-8 -
BioMed Research International 2013
Topics: Humans; Propionibacterium acnes; Skin Diseases, Bacterial
PubMed: 24455697
DOI: 10.1155/2013/493564 -
Clinical Microbiology Reviews Jul 2014Propionibacterium acnes is known primarily as a skin commensal. However, it can present as an opportunistic pathogen via bacterial seeding to cause invasive infections... (Review)
Review
Propionibacterium acnes is known primarily as a skin commensal. However, it can present as an opportunistic pathogen via bacterial seeding to cause invasive infections such as implant-associated infections. These infections have gained more attention due to improved diagnostic procedures, such as sonication of explanted foreign materials and prolonged cultivation time of up to 14 days for periprosthetic biopsy specimens, and improved molecular methods, such as broad-range 16S rRNA gene PCR. Implant-associated infections caused by P. acnes are most often described for shoulder prosthetic joint infections as well as cerebrovascular shunt infections, fibrosis of breast implants, and infections of cardiovascular devices. P. acnes causes disease through a number of virulence factors, such as biofilm formation. P. acnes is highly susceptible to a wide range of antibiotics, including beta-lactams, quinolones, clindamycin, and rifampin, although resistance to clindamycin is increasing. Treatment requires a combination of surgery and a prolonged antibiotic treatment regimen to successfully eliminate the remaining bacteria. Most authors suggest a course of 3 to 6 months of antibiotic treatment, including 2 to 6 weeks of intravenous treatment with a beta-lactam. While recently reported data showed a good efficacy of rifampin against P. acnes biofilms, prospective, randomized, controlled studies are needed to confirm evidence for combination treatment with rifampin, as has been performed for staphylococcal implant-associated infections.
Topics: Animals; Biofilms; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Metagenome; Microbiota; Propionibacterium acnes; Prostheses and Implants; Prosthesis-Related Infections; Virulence
PubMed: 24982315
DOI: 10.1128/CMR.00092-13 -
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment May 2021Acne vulgaris, a common and chronic disorder of the pilosebaceous unit, affects up to 85% of adolescent and young adults. While a lot is already known about acne and its... (Review)
Review
Acne vulgaris, a common and chronic disorder of the pilosebaceous unit, affects up to 85% of adolescent and young adults. While a lot is already known about acne and its treatment, still the gaps in our understanding of acne remains. This article will review the emerging evidence in the complex pathogenesis of acne and provide an overview of the potential future therapy in management of acne vulgaris.Key points targeted therapy has been the mainstay in the management of acne till now. Sebocyte activity is controlled via a range of cellular pathways and hormones in addition to androgens. This has opened an array of therapeutic options to be available for treating acne in the near future.
Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antioxidants; Biofilms; Cortodoxone; Diet; Enzyme Inhibitors; Humans; Propionibacterium acnes
PubMed: 31393195
DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2019.1654075