[Biotyping of Propionibacterium acnes strains isolated from patients with acne vulgaris]

Propionibacterium acnes is the main bacterial etiologic agent in acne vulgaris pathogenesis. The rate of antibiotic resistant P. acnes isolates is less than 10% in our country. The aim of this study was to biotype P. acnes strains which were isolated from acne vulgaris patients and to investigate the biotype distribution in our region. P. acnes isolates from 64 patients (18 male, 46 female; mean age 19 +/- 3.1 years) were included in the study and biotyped by sugar-specific pH changes using sorbitol, erythritol and ribose. Results were compared with the global acne grading scores and clinical types of the patients. The frequency rates of P. acnes biotypes were found as follows; 40 strains (62.5%) were biotype I, 3 (4.7%) were biotype II, 20 (31.3%) were biotype III and one (1.6%) was biotype IV, whereas biotype V was not detected. The acne cases who were admitted to dermatology outpatient clinics mostly complained of papulopustuler and nodulocystic lesions. Therefore the detection of antibiotic resistance rates of P. acnes strains by mass screening of the community has a growing importance. Since P. acnes biotype III is the main biotype which causes the most severe acne reactions, the 31.3% rate of frequency found in our study, can not be overlooked. As a result, this data should be considered as a guide while prescribing antibiotics for the treatment of acne patients.