Antibiotic susceptibility in prostate-derived Propionibacterium acnes isolates

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

• Propionibacterium acnes is a common bacterium found on human skin and has been implicated in various infections, including those of the prostate.
• Understanding the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of P. acnes is crucial for effective treatment strategies, especially in the context of rising antimicrobial resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of Propionibacterium acnes isolates obtained from prostate tissue.
• To compare the resistance patterns of prostate-derived P. acnes with control strains from skin and deep infections.

Main Methods:

• Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed on 24 prostate-derived P. acnes isolates and 25 control strains using a panel of 19 antibiotics.
• Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values were determined for each isolate against the tested antibiotics.
• Testing for inducible clindamycin resistance was also conducted.

Main Results:

• All prostate-derived P. acnes isolates exhibited wild-type distribution of MIC values, indicating no acquired resistance to the tested antibiotics.
• In the control group, 5 out of 25 isolates displayed acquired macrolide resistance, showing cross-resistance to azithromycin, clindamycin, and erythromycin.
• One isolate from the control group was also found to be resistant to tetracycline.

Conclusions:

• Prostate-derived Propionibacterium acnes isolates in this study did not show evidence of acquired antibiotic resistance.
• Control strains from skin and deep infections demonstrated acquired resistance to macrolides and tetracycline, highlighting the prevalence of resistance in other P. acnes populations.