Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis
in Acne
Title: Different pro-inflammatory and immunogenic
potentials of Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis:
implications for chronic inflammatory acne.
Authors: Bialecka A., et al
Publication: Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz). 2005
Jan-Feb;53(1):79-85.
Propionium acnes (P. acnes) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (S.
epidermidis) are two of the major bacterial strains found in acne
lesions. It seems that only P. acnes is implicated in acne inflammation,
however, its exact role is unknown.
The authors wanted to compare the pro-inflammatory and adjuvant
or immune-stimulation properties of both P. acnes and S. epidermidis
bacteria. To induce inflammation, the authors inject living bacteria
into the ear. Furthermore, in a test tube environment the authors
tested the effect of P. acnes and S. epidermidis bacteria on macrophages,
a type of cell in the body’s immune system.
In analyzing the result, the author concluded that only P. acnes
seem to have pro-inflammatory effect and adjuvant properties.
