Antimicrobial Susceptibility
P. acnes bacteria are susceptible to a wide range of antimicrobial molecules, from both pharmaceutical and natural sources. Antibiotics are commonly used to treat infections caused by P. acnes. Acne vulgaris is the disease most commonly associated with P. acnes infection. The antibiotics most frequently used to treat acne vulgaris are: erythromycin, clindamycin, doxycycline and minocycline. Several other families of antibiotics are also active against P. acnes bacteria, including quinolones, cephalosporins, pleuromutilins, penicillins and sulfonamides.
The emergence of antibiotic-resistant P. acnes bacteria represents a growing problem worldwide. The problem is especially pronounced in North America and Europe. The antibiotic families that P. acnes are most likely to acquire resistance to are the macrolides (e.g. erythromycin and azithromycin), lincosamides (e.g. clindamycin) and tetracyclines (e.g. doxycycline and minocycline).
However, P. acnes bacteria are susceptible to many types of antimicrobial chemicals found in over-the-counter antibacterial products, including benzoyl peroxide, triclosan, PCMX, and chlorhexidine gluconate.
Several naturally occurring molecules and compounds are toxic to P. acnes bacteria. Some essential oils such as rosemary, tea tree oil, clove oil and citrus oils contain antibacterial chemicals.
The elements silver, sulfur, and copper have also been demonstrated to be toxic towards many bacteria, including P. acnes. Natural honey has also been shown to have some antibacterial properties that may be active against P. acnes.
Read more about this topic: Propionibacterium Acnes