Propionibacterium acnes: infection beyond the skin

Abstract

Propionibacterium acnes is a Gram-positive bacterium that forms part of the normal flora of the skin, oral cavity, large intestine, the conjunctiva and the external ear canal. Although primarily recognized for its role in acne, P. acnes is an opportunistic pathogen, causing a range of postoperative and device-related infections. These include infections of the bones and joints, mouth, eye and brain. Device-related infections include those of joint prostheses, shunts and prosthetic heart valves. P. acnes may play a role in other conditions, including inflammation of the prostate leading to cancer, SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteitis) syndrome, sarcoidosis and sciatica. If an active role in these conditions is established there are major implications for diagnosis, treatment and protection. Genome sequencing of the organism has provided an insight into the pathogenic potential and virulence of P. acnes.

Origin of Propionibacterium in Surgical Wounds and Evidence-Based Approach for Culturing Propionibacterium from Surgical Sites

“…This result is consistent with previous observations in the shoulder 10,40,45,46 and in the spine 41 . Propionibacterium usually did not grow on culture of dermal specimens from female subjects whereas dermal cultures were commonly positive for male patients.…”

Sustainable farming of the mealworm Tenebrio molitor for the production of food and feed

“…Overall, the genus Propionibacterium was the most abundant OTU (22.2%). These are Gram-positive rod-shaped bacteria with probiotic properties in humans, although some species are opportunistic pathogens [51,52]. Another study found that the three dominant bacterial phyla were Tenericutes (44.2%), Proteobacteria (39.22%) and Firmicutes (13.09%), and the genus Spiroplasma was the most abundant OTU (44.1%) [48].…”

Soluble membrane attack complex is diagnostic for intraventricular shunt infection in children

“…(epidermidis, caprae, capitis, or hominis) had, on average, remarkably low sMAC levels (~8 ng/ml). These organisms are frequent opportunistic pathogens, particularly on medical devices such as prosthetic heart valves, joint prostheses, and shunts (50)(51)(52)(53)(54). However, given that the organisms grew out in broth only or from later shunt taps, it is possible that these patients did not have true meningitic shunt infections.…”