Propionibacterium Acnes

[Guide]

Propionibacterium acnes grown in thioglycollate medium image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

"Based on the theory that rosacea shares the same inflammatory features of acne, a recent study showed that, just as the combination of benzoyl peroxide 1 percent and clindamycin 5 percent gel is a powerful treatment modality for reducing Propionibacterium acnes levels, it also significantly reduces the papules and pustules of rosacea, according to Debra L. Breneman, M.D. ...."Benzaclin, once daily, was found to be well tolerated and effective in the reduction of papules and pustules in patients with rosacea," said Dr. Breneman. "This lends credence to the theory that P. acnes is a potential aggravating factor in rosacea. This gives dermatologists a very effective treatment for rosacea." [1]

However a recent report states, "Our results suggest that P. acnes does not play a major role in the pathogenesis of rosacea." [2]

End Notes

[1] P. Acnes Possible Factor in Rosacea

BenzaClin a significant Tx in lesion reduction

Apr 1, 2003, By: Beth Kapes, Dermatology Times, Modern Medicine

[2] No link between rosacea and Propionibacterium acnes.

Jahns AC, Lundskog B, Dahlberg I, Tamayo NC, McDowell A, Patrick S, Alexeyev OA.

APMIS. 2012 Nov;120(11):922-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0463.2012.02920.x. Epub 2012 May 18.