Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 27, 2026

Oral Biofilm Formation on Different Materials for Dental Implants
11:19

Oral Biofilm Formation on Different Materials for Dental Implants

Published on: June 24, 2018

11.0K

Propionibacterium acnes: from commensal to opportunistic biofilm-associated implant pathogen

Yvonne Achermann1, Ellie J C Goldstein2, Tom Coenye3

  • 1Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Dental School, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Clinical Microbiology Reviews
|July 2, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Propionibacterium acnes, typically a skin bacterium, can cause serious implant-associated infections. Effective treatment involves surgery and long-term antibiotics, with rifampin showing promise against biofilms.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is recognized as a skin commensal but can act as an opportunistic pathogen.
  • Improved diagnostics, including sonication and extended cultivation, have increased the detection of P. acnes in invasive infections.
  • P. acnes is implicated in various implant-associated infections, notably shoulder prosthetics, cerebrovascular shunts, breast implants, and cardiovascular devices.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of P. acnes as an opportunistic pathogen in implant-associated infections.
  • To discuss diagnostic advancements for P. acnes detection.
  • To summarize current and potential therapeutic strategies for P. acnes infections.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of P. acnes as a pathogen in implant-associated infections.
  • Analysis of diagnostic techniques, including sonication and molecular methods (16S rRNA gene PCR).
  • Evaluation of antibiotic susceptibility and treatment regimens, including biofilm efficacy.

Main Results:

  • P. acnes infections are increasingly recognized in orthopedic, neurosurgical, and cardiovascular implants.
  • Biofilm formation is a key virulence factor for P. acnes.
  • P. acnes is generally susceptible to antibiotics like beta-lactams, quinolones, and rifampin, though clindamycin resistance is rising.

Conclusions:

  • Implant-associated infections caused by P. acnes necessitate a combined surgical and prolonged antibiotic approach.
  • Rifampin demonstrates efficacy against P. acnes biofilms, suggesting potential for combination therapy.
  • Further randomized controlled trials are needed to establish optimal combination antibiotic regimens, particularly involving rifampin.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Advancing Research on Candida albicans Biofilm-Associated Prosthetic Joint Infections04:37

Author Spotlight: Advancing Research on Candida albicans Biofilm-Associated Prosthetic Joint Infections

Published on: February 2, 2024

1.4K
Effects of Mechanical Methods Used in Peri-implantitis Treatment on Implant Surface Decontamination and Roughness06:36

Effects of Mechanical Methods Used in Peri-implantitis Treatment on Implant Surface Decontamination and Roughness

Published on: March 14, 2025

1.0K

Related Concept Videos

Biofilms01:29

Biofilms

Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms encased in a self-produced extracellular polysaccharide matrix attached to surfaces. These microbial consortia can include single or multiple species, providing enhanced survival benefits by forming organized, multilayered structures.The formation of biofilms occurs through four key stages: attachment, colonization, development, and dispersal.During attachment, free-swimming planktonic cells adhere to a surface, often facilitated by...
2.1K
The Skin Microbiota01:27

The Skin Microbiota

The human skin serves as a complex ecosystem inhabited by a diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining skin health and defending against pathogenic invaders. The composition of microbial communities varies significantly across different regions of the body, influenced primarily by the local levels of moisture and sebum.Regional Variation in Skin MicrobiotaCutibacterium acnes predominantly colonizes sebaceous...
119
Acne Infection01:27

Acne Infection

Acne is a multifactorial skin condition primarily affecting adolescents and young adults, with a global prevalence estimated to exceed 75% in this demographic. The condition is characterized by the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules, pustules, nodules, and, in severe cases, cysts, particularly in areas rich in sebaceous glands such as the face, neck, chest, and back. The pathogenesis involves increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, colonization by...
91
Bacterial Signaling01:30

Bacterial Signaling

Bacterial signaling can occur within bacteria (intracellular) or between bacteria (intercellular). At times, a group of bacteria behaves like a community. To achieve this, they engage in quorum sensing, the perception of higher cell density that causes changes in gene expression. Quorum sensing involves both extracellular and intracellular signaling. The signaling cascade starts with a molecule called an autoinducer (AI). Individual bacteria produce AIs that move out of the bacterial cell...
29.5K
The Oral Microbiota01:27

The Oral Microbiota

The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
87
Colonisation of Pathogens01:25

Colonisation of Pathogens

Pathogen colonization of host tissues is a critical step in the development of infectious diseases. Various pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, have evolved complex strategies to attach to, invade, and persist within host environments. These mechanisms enable pathogens to establish infections, evade immune responses, and resist antimicrobial treatments.Attachment to Host CellsIn bacteria, colonization typically begins with adherence to host epithelial...
73