title: The cutaneous microflora of adolescent, persistent and late-onset acne patients does not differ.
abstract: The cutaneous microbiology and antibody status to Propionibacterium acnes of patients with persistent (males, n = 32; females, n = 33) and late-onset (females, n = 25) acne were compared with individuals with adolescent acne (males, n = 22; females, n = 18) and normal control volunteers (persistent acne: males, n = 26; females, n = 30; late-onset: females, n = 20). Males had significantly higher grades of acne compared with females (P < 0.05). The microflora consisted in the main of propionibacteria, staphylococci and Malassezia; other bacteria represented less than 0.01% of the total microflora. At all sites for all samples there were significantly more propionibacteria than staphylococci or Malassezia (P < 0.05). There were significantly higher (P < 0.05) numbers of microorganisms in follicular casts from patients compared with their control volunteers for female facial skin and male back skin. Twenty-six papules and 48 normal follicles were analysed. A bimodal distribution of microbial colonization was noted, with about 90% of normal follicles and about 10% of acne follicles having no detectable viable microorganisms. Anti-P. acnes IgG antibody titres were measured using a secondary fluorescein isothiocyanate antibody technique, and no significant differences in titre were found between any groups of patients (P > 0.05). Correlation analysis showed no association between the population densities of P. acnes and anti-P. acnes IgG titres. There were no differences in the microbiology of skin of adolescent acne patients, persistent acne patients or late-onset acne patients which could account for these various forms of acne.
authors.affiliation: Skin Research Centre, Microbiology Department, Leeds University, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Till
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Goulden
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Cunliffe
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Holland
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000145:classification / Q000382:microbiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D008290:Malassezia / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011425:Propionibacterium acnes / Q000276:immunology; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology*; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G