The Formulation of Bacteriophage in a Semi Solid Preparation for Control of Propionibacterium acnes Growth

Abstract

AimsTo isolate and characterise phage which could lyse P. acnes and to formulate the phage into a delivery form for potential application in topical treatment of acne infection.Methods and ResultsUsing standard phage isolation techniques, ten phage capable of lysing P. acnes were isolated from human skin microflora. Their genomes showed high homology to previously reported P. acnes phage. These phage were formulated into cetomacrogol cream aqueous at a concentration of 2.5x108 PFU per gram, and shown to lyse underlying P. acnes cells grown as lawn cultures. These phage formulations remained active for at least 90 days when stored at four degrees Celsius in a light protected container.ConclusionsP. acnes phage formulated into cetomacrogol cream aqueous will lyse surrounding and underlying P. acnes bacteria, and are effective for at least 90 days if stored appropriately.Significance and Impact of the StudyThere are few reports of phage formulation into semi solid preparations for application as phage therapy. The formulation method described here could potentially be applied topically to treat human acne infections. The potential exists for this model to be extended to other phage applied to treat other bacterial skin infections.

Changing our microbiome: probiotics in dermatology

“…Topical probiotics may also include C. acnes bacteriophages, which are viruses that can lyse host bacteria. Two studies showed that some C. acnes bacteriophages lyse only acne‐associated and uncorrelated (potentially pathogenic) phylotypes, but are often ineffective against phylotypes associated with healthy skin . This potential combination of healthy‐skin‐associated C. acnes together with bacteriophages that target other C. acnes could potentially allow for highly specific strain replacement (Fig.…”

Bacteriophage formulated into a range of semisolid and solid dosage forms maintain lytic capacity against isolated cutaneous and opportunistic oral bacteria

“…For the creams, ointments and paste, P. acnes phage PAC1 was used . Phage were mixed by gradual geometric dilution to the creams, ointments and pastes to a final concentration of 2.5 × 10 8 PFU/g.…”

“…To this end, we have used various models for testing the effectiveness of these dosage forms. The first involves Propionibacterium acnes as the test bacteria (the causative agent of acne vulgaris), and our previously published bacteriophage PAC1, which is lytic against P. acnes . These phage were formulated into a range of hydrophilic bases of diverse ionic nature, as well as more hydrophobic and more occlusive bases, to test their efficacy as vehicles in phage therapy.…”

The role of the skin microbiota in acne pathophysiology

“…Further support for a role for C. acnes is that acne prevalence decreases with increasing age, likely as a result of decreased sebum production with age, but the change in sebum secretion may be linked to changes in microbiome composition. Although there is promising evidence for the use of lytic formulations with bacteriophages for reducing C. acnes growth in vitro , substantial future work will be required to prove the utility of bacteriophage for treating human acne …”

“…Although there is promising evidence for the use of lytic formulations with bacteriophages for reducing C. acnes growth in vitro, substantial future work will be required to prove the utility of bacteriophage for treating human acne. 39,40 While much evidence exists supporting the role of C. acnes in acne, the topic remains controversial. C. acnes is also considered a host-beneficial microbe.…”