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Propionibacterium Acnes Phylogenetic Type III is Associated with Progressive Macular Hypomelanosis
Rolf L W Petersen1, Christian F P Scholz1, Anders Jensen1
1Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University , Aarhus, Denmark.
Abstract:
Progressive macular hypomelanosis (PMH) is a skin disorder that is characterized by hypopigmented macules and usually seen in young adults. The skin microbiota, in particular the bacterium Propionibacterium acnes, is suggested to play a role. Here, we compared the P. acnes population of 24 PMH lesions from eight patients with corresponding nonlesional skin of the patients and matching control samples from eight healthy individuals using an unbiased, culture-independent next-generation sequencing approach. We also compared the P. acnes population before and after treatment with a combination of lymecycline and benzoylperoxide. We found an association of one subtype of P. acnes, type III, with PMH. This type was predominant in all PMH lesions (73.9% of reads in average) but only detected as a minor proportion in matching control samples of healthy individuals (14.2% of reads in average). Strikingly, successful PMH treatment is able to alter the composition of the P. acnes population by substantially diminishing the proportion of P. acnes type III. Our study suggests that P. acnes type III may play a role in the formation of PMH. Furthermore, it sheds light on substantial differences in the P. acnes phylotype distribution between the upper and lower back and abdomen in healthy individuals.
Insights
Propionibacterium acnes type III is linked to progressive macular hypomelanosis (PMH). Successful treatment reduces this bacterial subtype, suggesting its role in PMH development.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Microbiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Progressive macular hypomelanosis (PMH) is a skin condition presenting as hypopigmented macules, often affecting young adults.
- The skin bacterium Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is implicated in PMH pathogenesis.
- Understanding the P. acnes population in PMH is crucial for elucidating disease mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the P. acnes population in PMH lesions compared to healthy skin.
- To analyze changes in P. acnes composition following antibiotic treatment for PMH.
- To identify specific P. acnes subtypes associated with PMH.
Main Methods:
- Utilized next-generation sequencing for unbiased, culture-independent analysis of P. acnes populations.
- Compared P. acnes from PMH lesions, adjacent nonlesional skin, and healthy controls.
- Assessed P. acnes changes before and after lymecycline and benzoylperoxide treatment.
Main Results:
- A specific P. acnes subtype, type III, was significantly predominant in PMH lesions (73.9%) compared to healthy controls (14.2%).
- Successful PMH treatment led to a substantial decrease in the proportion of P. acnes type III.
- Significant differences in P. acnes phylotype distribution were observed between different body sites in healthy individuals.
Conclusions:
- P. acnes type III is strongly associated with progressive macular hypomelanosis.
- Treatment-induced reduction of P. acnes type III suggests its etiological role in PMH.
- The study highlights regional variations in P. acnes populations on healthy skin.