The Role of Gram Positive Bacteria in Acne Vulgaris

Background : Frequent and chronic inflammation of the pilosebaceous unit of the hair follicle characterizes acne vulgaris (AV). It is a disease resulting from the interplay of hereditary and environmental factors. Objectives: Isolation and identification of gram-positive bacteria from Patients with AV. Methodology: Our study was done on 50 patients attended to the out-patient clinic of Dermatology, Venerology and Andrology Department of Benha University Hospital. The contents of open or closed comedones, papules, pustules, and cystic lesions of acne were sampled. The specimens were cultivated on blood agar plates and then incubated at 37°C for 24 to 48 hours under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Results: There was bacterial growth on both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. As staph epidermidis (S.epidermidis) were found in 7o%, staph aureus (S. aureus) were found in 24%, Micrococcus luteus were found in 4% and Leuconostoc mesentroides were found in 2%. Conclusion: acne vulgaris is a common disease with multimicrobial causes.