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Propionibacterium acnes populations involved in deep pathological samples and their dynamics along the cardiac

S Romano-Bertrand1, M Beretta, H Jean-Pierre

  • 1UMR 5119 ECOSYM, Equipe Pathogènes et Environnements, U.F.R. des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Université Montpellier 1, 15, Avenue Charles Flahault, BP 14491, 34093, Montpellier Cedex 5, France, sara.romano-bertrand@univ-montp1.fr.

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases : Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology
|August 30, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Propionibacterium acnes phylotypes are linked to healthcare-associated infections (HAI) and surgical site infections (SSI). Phylotype IA-2/IB is particularly associated with cardiac SSI and wound colonization.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is part of normal skin flora but causes infections like endocarditis and surgical site infections (SSI).
  • P. acnes populations are phylogenetically structured, with phylotype I linked to acne vulgaris.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between P. acnes phylotypes and their clinical origins, focusing on deep infections, healthcare-associated infections (HAI), and cardiac SSI.
  • To analyze P. acnes population dynamics in cardiac SSI during patient care.
  • To compare recA and tly gene phylotypes with hemolytic activity, antimicrobial susceptibility, and clinical sources.

Main Methods:

  • Comparison of recA and tly gene phylotypes with phenotypic traits and clinical origins.
  • Development and application of recA polymerase chain reaction temporal temperature gel electrophoresis (PCR-TTGE) for direct identification of P. acnes phylotypes in surgical samples.
  • Assessment of P. acnes temporal dynamics during the surgical course.

Main Results:

  • Phylotypes IA-2/IB and II were predominantly involved in HAI and SSI.
  • Phylotype IA-2/IB showed a progressive increase with sampling depth during cardiac surgery, unlike phylotypes IA and II.
  • Phylotypes IA and IA-2/IB were frequently found in scar tissues and postoperative skin, indicating a propensity for skin recolonization.
  • Phylotype IA-2/IB was specifically associated with SSI and demonstrated a tendency to colonize cardiac surgery wounds.

Conclusions:

  • The study highlights the differential involvement of P. acnes phylotypes in various infections, particularly SSI.
  • Phylotype IA-2/IB shows a significant association with SSI, especially in cardiac surgery, and a propensity for wound colonization.
  • Monitoring P. acnes phylotypes during pathological processes may offer insights into P. acnes pathogenicity.

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