Characterization ofCutibacterium (Propionibacterium)Species from Pustular Acne Vulgaris and its Antimicrobial Action

Abstract

Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of skin follicle on the face, which affects almost 85% youngsters and adolescents. The most common causative agent is Cutibacterium species.  40 isolates of Cutibacteriawere included in the study. Pus sample was collected from subjects and stained by Gram’s method and also inoculated on to the Cutibacterium Selective Agar and was placed in a Becton and Dickinson (BD) GasPak EZ Sachet and incubated at 37⁰c for 48hrs. The isolates were speciated by microscopy, culture and biochemical reactions. The antibiotics tested were erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, metronidazole.An attempt was done to evaluate the antimicrobial action against turmeric and neem. The results suggest that C.acnes is the main causative agent for pustular acne vulgaris(50%). Crude extract of turmeric and neem were resistant to all species of Cutibacteria isolated by in-vitro disc diffusion method which proves that this herbs have poor antibacterial property.However, the study has to be extended by analyzing antimicrobial action of phytochemicals of turmeric & neem against Cutibacteria.