What is the role of Propionibacterium?
The gram-positive, anaerobic skin commensal Propionibacterium acnes has long been suspected to play a key role in the pathophysiology of acne because antimicrobials that reduce P acnes on the skin surface result in clinical improvement, and acne that is recalcitrant to antibiotic treatment is associated with the …
How is Propionibacterium transmitted?
Transmission and Disease Excess sebum (oil) production due to overactive sebaceous glands or blockage of a follicle can cause this bacterium to multiply. P. acnes releases digestive enzymes to break down sebum and aquire nutrients, which can sometimes destabilize the cell walls in the follicle.
What causes Propionibacterium bacteria?
Cascade of chemicals The airless environment causes the bacterium, Propionibacterium acnes, to turn sebum – an oily matter found in the skin – into fatty acids that activate inflammation in nearby skin cells.
Where is Propionibacterium found in the body?
Propionibacterium acnes is a facultative anaerobic Gram-positive bacterium present on human skin as part of the normal flora, as well as in the oral cavity, large intestine, conjunctiva, and external ear canal (1).
What bacteria causes acne?
The bacterium Propionibacterium acnes is considered a key player in acne development. Studies have shown that P. acnes uses sebum as a source of energy, and its presence in the pores initiates an immune response that triggers inflammation.
What kills P. acnes?
Your dermatologist may recommend medical-grade versions of benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, as well as retinoids and topical antibiotics. Retinoids not only help dry up the oil and kill P acnes, they help your skin cells turn over to improve the look and health of your skin.
How can I reduce P acne?
There are many things a person can do to prevent pimples and other forms of acne, including:
- Wash the face twice daily.
- Refrain from harsh scrubbing.
- Keep hair clean.
- Refrain from popping or picking at pimples.
- Apply topical treatments.
- Consider topical retinoids.
- Talk to a dermatologist about antibiotics.
What is the medical definition of Propionibacterium 1?
Medical Definition of propionibacterium 1 capitalized : a genus (the type of the family Propionibacteriaceae) of gram-positive nonmotile usually anaerobic bacteria that form propionic acid by fermenting lactic acid, carbohydrates, and polyalcohols and that include forms found especially on human skin and in dairy products
Where does Propionibacterium acnes get its energy from?
Propionibacterium acnes is an aerotolerant anaerobic, Gram-positive bacterium residing in the sebaceous glands of the skin, obtaining energy from fatty acids within the sebum. P. acnes also produce free fatty acids within the sebaceous gland, which can irritate the follicular wall and induce inflammation, leading to cutaneous infections.
What kind of Medicine is Propionibacterium acnes used for?
Propionibacterium acnes is a gram-positive anaerobe marketed for use in horses as a killed preparation under the trade name EqStim (Immunovet, Inc., Tampa, Florida) for treatment of equine respiratory disease.
What kind of bacteria synthesizes propionic acid in humans?
Propionibacterium. Propionibacterium is a gram-positive, anaerobic, rod-shaped genus of bacteria named for their unique metabolism: They are able to synthesize propionic acid by using unusual transcarboxylase enzymes. Its members are primarily facultative parasites and commensals of humans and other animals,…