The Bacteriology of Acne Vulgaris and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis Isolated from Acne Lesions

Abstract

We examined the species of bacteria aerobically and anaerobically isolated from 30 acne lesions and determined antimicrobial susceptibilities of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) using nine antimicrobial agents. Among the bacteria isolated, S. epidermidis was most dominant. Both P. acnes and S. epidermidis were isolated from half of the acne lesions. The MIC of seven antimicrobials (ampicillin, erythromycin, roxithromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, minocycline, nadifloxacin) against P. acnes was under 3.13 micrograms/ml. There were very few resistant strains of P. acnes, but many of S. epidermidis. More than 30% of the S. epidermidis isolates were resistant to erythromycin, roxithromycin, and clindamycin. After long-term systemic antibiotic therapy, the resistant strains of S. epidermidis increased, but P. acnes resistance was still limited. When we use antimicrobial agents for the treatment of acne, it should be noticed that not only P. acnes but also S. epidermidis in the acne lesions may acquire resistance to antimicrobials.

Rhodomyrtone from Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Aiton) Hassk. as a Natural Antibiotic for Staphylococcal Cutaneous Infections

“…Previous studies have also reported resistance of coagulasenegative staphylococci and S. aureus against clindamycin and erythromycin. 9,10,25) Our results indicated that the isolates from the antibiotic-treated subjects were less susceptible to clindamycin and erythromycin (commonly used topical antibiotics for acne treatment) than those from the untreated subjects. Similar reports were also documented.…”

“…10,23,24) In the present study, the resistance of staphylococci was found in most groups of antibiotics, especially clindamycin, erythromycin, and penicillin. Previous studies have also reported resistance of coagulasenegative staphylococci and S. aureus against clindamycin and erythromycin.…”

“…8) There have been many reports about staphylococcal resistance to the majority of existing antibiotics. [9][10][11] Various plant extracts have been vigorously studied in our laboratory for an alternative treatment. 12) The Myrtaceae is a significant family in herbal medicine.…”

Bacteriology of Acne

“…[9] Staphylococcus epidermidis was the predominant aerobic bacterial isolates & Propionibacterium acnes was the predominant anaerobic bacterial isolates in the present study and also in other studies (Table 8 & 9). [9,10] In the study by Parvin Hassanzadeh et al, the most frequent bacteria isolated from acne patients were Staphylococcus aureus & it was stated that it is possible that acne vulgaris is mainly caused by Staphylococcus aureus rather than Propionibacterium acne. This is in contrast to reports which implicated both Staphylococcus epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes as bacteria causing acne vulgaris.…”

A microbiological approach to acne vulgaris.

“…and the prevailing finding is Propionibacteium acnes. This strain is typical by the production of catalase and indol 2,15,29 . For the determination of staphylococci, the material is inoculated on agar soil (e.g.…”