EVALUATION OF C. ACNES CAPACITY TO BUILD BIOFILM AND A POSSIBLE LINK BETWEEN IT AND RESISTANCE TO WIDELY USED MEDICATIONS

Abstract

Background: Concern over antibiotic resistance in acne vulgaris patients has lately surfaced worldwide, especially in 
India. Although Cutibacterium acnes has been shown to be capable of forming biofilm, its involvement in acne vulgaris 
remains unclear and contentious.  
Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate Cutibacterium acnes capacity to build biofilm and any possible 
relationships with antibiotic resistance.  
Methods: 176 individuals with acne vulgaris who presented to the Institute during the designated study period were 
evaluated in this study. The collected samples underwent biofilm testing using the microtiter plate assay and analysed 
using MALDI-TOF-MS (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry).  
Results: According to the study, 43.1% (n=38) of the samples included C. acnes. The most resistant antibiotics were 
azithromycin, clindamycin, ampicillin, doxycycline, and minocycline, which were found in 73.7%, 65.8%, 15.8%, 31.6%, 
and 5.3% of patients, respectively. While 63.2% of C. acnes exhibited a limited ability to build biofilms, 37% of the 
isolates showed resistance to at least two antibiotics. Over 60% of the isolates exhibited a limited ability to produce 
biofilm and resistance to at least two different antibiotic classes. 
Conclusion: Based on a number of variables, the current study finds that although C. acnes may produce biofilms, its 
effectiveness against antibiotic resistance may be deemed low. Alternative processes that might result in antibiotic 
resistance, such as genetic or metabolic plasticity, must be taken into account.