An Expanded Multilocus Sequence Typing Scheme for Propionibacterium acnes: Investigation of ‘Pathogenic’, ‘Commensal’ and Antibiotic Resistant Strains

Abstract

The Gram-positive bacterium Propionibacterium acnes is a member of the normal human skin microbiota and is associated with various infections and clinical conditions. There is tentative evidence to suggest that certain lineages may be associated with disease and others with health. We recently described a multilocus sequence typing scheme (MLST) for P. acnes based on seven housekeeping genes (http://pubmlst.org/pacnes). We now describe an expanded eight gene version based on six housekeeping genes and two ‘putative virulence’ genes (eMLST) that provides improved high resolution typing (91eSTs from 285 isolates), and generates phylogenies congruent with those based on whole genome analysis. When compared with the nine gene MLST scheme developed at the University of Bath, UK, and utilised by researchers at Aarhus University, Denmark, the eMLST method offers greater resolution. Using the scheme, we examined 208 isolates from disparate clinical sources, and 77 isolates from healthy skin. Acne was predominately associated with type IA1 clonal complexes CC1, CC3 and CC4; with eST1 and eST3 lineages being highly represented. In contrast, type IA2 strains were recovered at a rate similar to type IB and II organisms. Ophthalmic infections were predominately associated with type IA1 and IA2 strains, while type IB and II were more frequently recovered from soft tissue and retrieved medical devices. Strains with rRNA mutations conferring resistance to antibiotics used in acne treatment were dominated by eST3, with some evidence for intercontinental spread. In contrast, despite its high association with acne, only a small number of resistant CC1 eSTs were identified. A number of eSTs were only recovered from healthy skin, particularly eSTs representing CC72 (type II) and CC77 (type III). Collectively our data lends support to the view that pathogenic versus truly commensal lineages of P. acnes may exist. This is likely to have important therapeutic and diagnostic implications.

The diversity and host interactions of Propionibacterium acnes bacteriophages on human skin

“…Our previous 16S ribosomal RNA metagenomic study demonstrated that P. acnes strain population structure in pilosebaceous units differs significantly between acne patients and healthy individuals (Fitz-Gibbon et al, 2013). Certain strains are highly associated with the disease (Lomholt and Kilian, 2010;McDowell et al, 2012;Fitz-Gibbon et al, 2013;Tomida et al, 2013), while some strains are enriched in healthy skin (FitzGibbon et al, 2013).…”

Characterisation of Cutibacterium acnes phylotypes in acne and in vivo exploratory evaluation of Myrtacine®

“…The presence of the clade IA in healthy controls and acne patients was demonstrated in several studies, [19][20][21][22] as well as its dominance in acne patients. [23][24][25] While analysing the dominant phylotypes of C. acnes in 63 patients with mild to severe acne, Paugam et al 26 also observed that phylotypes IA1 and IA2…”

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AbstractObjective Our main objective was to compare Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) skin colonisation in patients with mild to moderate acne versus healthy controls and secondly, to evaluate a Myrtacine â -based cream on C. acnes total population and antibioresistant Cutibacteria in patients with acne.Methods In 60 acne patients (Global Acne Severity Scale, GEA grades 2-3), of mean age 20 [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] Results We first showed (i) high and similar levels of C. acnes colonisation in superficial pilosebaceous follicles and detection of EryR and ClnR strains in both acne and control groups; (ii) different repartition of phylotypes in acne patients versus healthy control, with a predominance of phylotype IA in acne patients and a link between phylotype IA and erythromycin resistance. Besides, after treatment with the Myrtacine â -based cream in acne patients, there was no change in C. acnes total load, but a significant decrease of EryR Cutibacteria, reduced porphyrin production by C. acnes, a decrease in acne severity (GEA), associated with reduced retentional and inflammatory lesions.

Conclusion Cutibacterium acnes colonisation was not significantly different in acne versus control groups.

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Molecular Microbiological Profile of Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media

“…The relative sequence abundance of Propionibacterium was significantly higher in controls than in patients with CSOM. Members of the genus Propionibacterium are part of the normal microbiota of the skin, mouth, and gut (57)(58)(59)(60). They are believed to play a role in stabilizing the normal microbiota by occupying niches which then cannot be invaded by pathogens (58,59).…”

“…Members of the genus Propionibacterium are part of the normal microbiota of the skin, mouth, and gut (57)(58)(59)(60). They are believed to play a role in stabilizing the normal microbiota by occupying niches which then cannot be invaded by pathogens (58,59). Moraxella is a known pathogen of the human respiratory tract, typically causing pneumonias in adults and acute otitis media in children (48).…”