Molecular and antimicrobial characterisation of Propionibacterium acnes isolates from patients with severe recalcitrant papulopustular and nodular acne (360G-Wellcome-211771_Z_18_Z)

The widespread use of antibiotics for the treatment of acne vulgaris has led to the selection of Propionibacterium acnes ‘super-bug’ strains that are now resistant to first line antibiotics. Consequently, a growing number of patients are emerging with forms of acne that are non-responsive to common antibiotic therapies. As alarming, many of these patients also have extremely severe and aggressive forms of the disease, as well as resistance to oral retinoids. Characterization of the P. acnes population associated with severe recalcitrant papulopustular and nodular acne is therefore vital so we can identify new, pathogenic, multi-drug resistant lineages that may be driving this pathology. Such a study will also enable us to investigate if novel super-bug lineages of this bacterium are disseminating within the population, as well as providing an invaluable platform for the generation of skin microbiome-based diagnostics. The aim of this project will therefore be to characterize antibiotic resistant isolates of P. acnes recovered from patients with severe recalcitrant papulopustular and nodular acne, and a key goal will be to determine if strains represent new genetic sequence types circulating within the population. Another key objective will be to examine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and biofilm formation by these strains.