Metronidazole and acne.

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Dermatology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is implicated in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris.
• Obligate anaerobic bacteria are generally susceptible to metronidazole.
• Metroindazole exhibits potent activity against various anaerobic organisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of metroindazole as a potential treatment for acne vulgaris.
• To determine the susceptibility of clinical isolates of P. acnes to metronidazole.

Main Methods:

• In vitro susceptibility testing of 33 clinical isolates of P. acnes against metronidazole.
• Analysis of metroindazole's known activity against obligate anaerobes.

Main Results:

• All 33 clinical isolates of P. acnes demonstrated high resistance to metronidazole.
• The in vitro results contradict the initial hypothesis based on general anaerobic susceptibility.

Conclusions:

• Metroindazole is unlikely to be an effective treatment for acne vulgaris due to high P. acnes resistance.
• Further research into alternative therapeutic agents for acne vulgaris is warranted.