Acne

Introduction. 

Acne is an inflammatory skin infection caused by Propionibacterium acnes. These bacteria are common resident microbes on human skin. Propionibacteria are anaerobes or aerotolerant bacteria that grow mainly in skin pores where they irritate the follicle, producing inflammation that attracts white blood cells and eventually ruptures the follicle.

Summary

• Cause: Propionibacterium acnes
• Microscopy: Gram-positive rods
• Symptoms: Blackheads or whiteheads (pus-filled follicles) with areas of inflammation
• Transmission: endogenous
• Pathogenesis: Growth of P.acnes in follicles causes inflammation (glycoprotein of P. acnes) and attracts WBCs.
• Treatment: Clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide