Biofilm formation by Propionibacterium acnes is a characteristic of invasive isolates

Abstract

Propionibacterium acnes is a common and probably underestimated cause of delayed joint prosthesis infection. Bacterial biofilm formation is central in the pathogenesis of infections related to foreign material, and P. acnes has been shown to form biofilm both in vitro and in vivo. Here, biofilm formation by 93 P. acnes isolates, either from invasive infections (n = 45) or from the skin of healthy people (n = 48), was analysed. The majority of isolates from deep infections produced biofilm in a microtitre model of biofilm formation, whereas the skin isolates were poor biofilm producers (p <0.001 for a difference). This indicates a role for biofilm formation in P. acnes virulence. The type distribution, as determined by sequencing of recA, was similar among isolates isolated from skin and from deep infections, demonstrating that P. acnes isolates with different genetic backgrounds have pathogenic potential. The biofilm formed on plastic and on bone cement was analysed by scanning electron microscopy (EM) and by transmission EM. The biofilm was seen as a 10-mum-thick layer covering the bacteria and was composed of filamentous as well as more amorphous structures. Interestingly, the presence of human plasma in solution or at the plastic surface inhibits biofilm formation, which could explain why P. acnes primarily infect plasma-poor environments of, for example, joint prostheses and cerebrospinal shunts. This work underlines the importance of biofilm formation in P. acnes pathogenesis, and shows that biofilm formation should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment of invasive P. acnes infections.

The Role of Propionibacterium acnes Biofilm in Acne Vulgaris

“…The matrix confers resistance to penetration of antibiotics through the biofilm into the microbes [5,6]. Classically, biofilms were considered to be primarily associated with catheter or implant-associated infections, as well as dental plaques [7]. The earlier years of research had clearly demonstrated the formation of P. acnes forming biofilms in vitro and on medical appliances, but it had yet to be discovered as a biofilm within the follicle itself [8].…”

Terminal sterilization: Conventional methods versus emerging cold atmospheric pressure plasma technology for non‐viable biological tissues

“…[131] Biofilms of Propionibacterium acnes bacteria have been found to be considerably inactivated by two types of plasma jet over short time periods. [121] Biofilms of MRSA, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli are also removed by CAP treatment.…”

Multiplex Touchdown PCR for Rapid Typing of the Opportunistic Pathogen Propionibacterium acnes

“…To date, a number of phenotypic and/or molecular approaches have been investigated as methods for phylogroup identification, ranging from very simple biochemical tests based on hemolysis (19) or fermentation profiles (40) to matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) (41), monoclonal antibody (MAb) typing (18), and DNAbased analysis; DNA-based analysis includes ribotyping (23), DiversiLab analysis (42), direct PCR assays (43), and protein-coding gene sequencing (18,20,21,44). Unfortunately, many of these approaches suffer from specificity or sensitivity limitations that constrain their diagnostic value.…”