Gosset Molecular Classification
Bacteria, Actinobacteria
Other Names
Propionibacterium acnes, P. acnes
Disease Roles
Cutibacterium acnes Overview
Cutibacterium acnes is a Gram-positive, anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium that is part of the normal human skin flora. It plays a role in maintaining skin health but can also contribute to acne vulgaris and other infections under certain conditions.
Mechanism of Action
Antibiotics inhibit bacterial growth; benzoyl peroxide oxidizes bacterial proteins; retinoids affect keratinization and inflammation.
Biological Functions
Skin microbiome maintenance
Acid production
Inhibition of pathogen growth
Epidermal lipid synthesis regulation
Disease Associations
Acne vulgaris
Folliculitis
Prosthetic joint infection
Endocarditis
Osteomyelitis
Septic arthritis
Chronic prostatitis
Sarcoidosis
Safety Considerations
- Antibiotic resistance
- Skin irritation (benzoyl peroxide, retinoids)
- Systemic side effects (oral antibiotics)
Interacting Drugs
Antibiotics (e.g., tetracyclines, macrolides, clindamycin)
Benzoyl peroxide
Retinoids