What is the relationship between infection and acne?

From the Guidelines

In medicine, an infection refers to the invasion and multiplication of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites in body tissues, leading to cellular injury and inflammatory responses, and in the context of acne, it plays a significant role in its development and severity, as evidenced by the guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris 1. Regarding acne, infection is partly responsible for its development and severity. Acne forms when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells, creating an environment where the bacterium Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) can thrive and multiply. This bacterium naturally lives on the skin but causes problems when trapped in follicles, where it feeds on sebum and triggers inflammation. The resulting infection manifests as red, swollen pimples, pustules, or deeper cystic lesions. Some key points to consider in the management of acne include:

• The use of topical antimicrobials like benzoyl peroxide or clindamycin, as recommended by the guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris 1.
• The use of oral antibiotics such as doxycycline or minocycline for more severe cases, as supported by moderate certainty evidence from several studies 1.
• The importance of consistent skincare to prevent bacterial overgrowth in susceptible follicles, as highlighted by the guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris 1. Understanding acne as partly an infectious process explains why antimicrobial treatments are effective and highlights the importance of addressing this component in the management of the condition. Key recommendations for the management of acne include:
• The use of multimodal therapy combining multiple mechanisms of action, as recommended by the guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris 1.
• The use of fixed-dose combination topical antibiotic with benzoyl peroxide, as supported by moderate certainty evidence from several studies 1.
• The use of systemic antibiotics concomitantly with benzoyl peroxide and other topical therapy, as recommended by the guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

In severe acne, doxycycline may be useful adjunctive therapy. In severe acne, minocycline may be useful adjunctive therapy.

Infection in medicine refers to the invasion and colonization of a host organism's body tissues by disease-causing agents, such as bacteria. In the context of acne, an infection can occur when bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) colonize the pores and cause inflammation. Doxycycline and minocycline are antibiotics that may be used as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of severe acne to help reduce the population of P. acnes and decrease inflammation.

• Key points:
  • Infection is the invasion of a host organism's body tissues by disease-causing agents.
  • Acne can involve an infection with P. acnes bacteria.
  • Doxycycline and minocycline are antibiotics that may be used to treat severe acne 2 3.

From the Research

Definition of Infection in Medicine

In medicine, an infection refers to the invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi in a body tissue or organ, which can cause disease [@\1@, @\2@, @\3@, @\4@, @\5@].

Relation to Acne

Acne is a skin condition that can be caused by the infection of the skin's pores with bacteria, particularly Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) [@\1@, @\2@, @\3@, @\4@, @\5@]. The infection can lead to inflammation and the formation of acne lesions.

Key Points About Infection and Acne

• P. acnes is a type of bacteria that is commonly found on the skin and can cause acne [@\1@, @\2@, @\3@, @\4@, @\5@].
• The use of antimicrobial agents, such as antibiotics, can help to reduce the growth of P. acnes and alleviate acne symptoms [@\1@, @\2@, @\3@, @\4@, @\5@].
• However, the overuse or misuse of antibiotics can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of P. acnes, making treatment more challenging [@\1@, @\2@, @\3@, @\4@, @\5@].
• Combination therapies, such as the use of topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, or azelaic acid, can help to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance and improve treatment outcomes [@\1@, @\2@, @\3@, @\4@, @\5@].

Treatment Options for Acne

• Topical antimicrobials, such as clindamycin and erythromycin, can be effective in reducing the growth of P. acnes and alleviating acne symptoms [@\1@, @\2@, @\3@, @\4@, @\5@].
• Systemic antibiotics, such as tetracycline and doxycycline, can be used to treat more severe cases of acne [@\1@, @\2@, @\3@, @\4@, @\5@].
• Benzoyl peroxide cleansers can help to reduce the population of P. acnes on the skin and decrease the risk of antibiotic resistance [@\5@].