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Bacterial resistance in French acne patients
G Dumont-Wallon1, D Moyse, E Blouin
1CHU Nantes, Clinique Dermatologique, Hôtel Dieu, Nantes Cedex, France.
Background:
The percentage of strains of Propionibacterium acnes resistant to antibiotics in acne is increasing in many countries, raising the question of the risks associated with bacterial resistance. Numerous series of cases have been published on European populations of acne patients, but at the moment we still have very few data regarding France.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of P. acnes resistant strains to erythromycin, tetracycline, and doxycycline in a population of French acne patients.
Methods:
Specimens were collected from 273 patients in 43 centers located throughout France (12 hospitals and 31 private office practices).
Results:
75.1% of the patients were carriers of P. acnes strains resistant to erythromycin and 9.5% to tetracycline. One hundred percent of strains resistant to tetracycline were also resistant to doxycycline. There was no significant difference among the regions and between patients followed in hospital or private office.
Conclusions:
It clearly appears that the percentage of patients with P. acnes strains resistant to erythromycin is similar to that in other countries, but lower for tetracycline or doxycycline in comparison to other European countries.
Insights
Antibiotic resistance in acne-causing Propionibacterium acnes is rising globally. French acne patients show high erythromycin resistance (75.1%) but lower tetracycline/doxycycline resistance compared to other European nations.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Increasing antibiotic resistance in Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) strains poses risks for acne treatment.
- Limited data exists on P. acnes antibiotic resistance specifically within French acne patient populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of P. acnes strains resistant to erythromycin, tetracycline, and doxycycline among French acne patients.
- To assess the current landscape of antibiotic resistance in P. acnes in France.
Main Methods:
- Collected bacterial specimens from 273 acne patients across 43 centers in France.
- Included both hospital and private office practices for comprehensive data collection.
Main Results:
- High prevalence of erythromycin-resistant P. acnes strains (75.1%) was observed.
- Lower prevalence of tetracycline-resistant P. acnes strains (9.5%) was found.
- All tetracycline-resistant strains were also resistant to doxycycline; no significant regional or practice-type differences were noted.
Conclusions:
- Erythromycin resistance rates in French P. acnes strains align with international figures.
- Tetracycline and doxycycline resistance rates in France are notably lower than in other European countries.
- Findings highlight the need for continued surveillance of antibiotic resistance patterns in P. acnes.
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