title: A microbial aetiology of acne: what is the evidence?
abstract: A microbial aetiology of acne has been suggested since the beginning of the last century. There is considerable evidence, circumstantial at best, which suggests that micro-organisms, particularly Propionibacterium acnes, are important in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. However, it is still unclear whether P. acnes is actually a causal agent in the development of noninflamed or inflamed acne lesions. Based on a review of the microbiological data on normal and acne-affected skin, we propose that P. acnes neither initiates comedogenesis nor has a role in the initiation of inflammation in inflamed acne lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK. babar524@hotmail.com
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shaheen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000382:microbiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000382:microbiology; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D011425:Propionibacterium acnes; D055815:Young Adult