The increasing spread of Acne vulgaris makes antibacterial agents increasingly important, especially for patients, who cannot use systemic antibacterial therapeutics. Recently, polymeric nano- and submicron-fibers with have attracted increasing interest in cosmetic and dermatological applications. Combined with the Vapor Phase Infiltration (VPI) process, the fibers serve as containers for the growth of metal oxides for a later use. We address the use of antibacterial agents by developing active antibacterial polymer-inorganic composites without any ZnO nanoparticles on the surface that are loose and would potentially detach. We fabricate poly(vinyl alcohol) fibers by centrifugal spinning and then infiltrate them with ZnO by applying 1 to 128 VPI cycles in the fluidized bed Atomic Layer Deposition reactor. The fibers´ morphology and structure is investigated by Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopies and X-ray diffractometry. The presence of Zn and its uniform distribution on the surface is confirmed by scanning TEM Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The prepared materials are subsequently tested for their antibacterial activity against Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, main acne-causing bacteria. The results of antibacterial activity show that PVA fibers infiltrated with ZnO nanocrystals by >32 VPI cycles effectively inhibit growth of the acne-causing bacteria. Moreover, the homogeneous distribution of ZnO nanocrystals infiltrated within the fibers ensures the immediate release of Zn2+ while preserving the fibrous structure, in contrast to fibers with nanoparticles prepared directly from the spinning solution. Therefore, the study suggests that the PVA fibers infiltrated with ZnO exhibit promising potential as a material for anti-acne face masks.

• Klíčová slova
• Acne vulgaris, Antibacterial activity, Centrifugal spinning, Nanocrystals, Vapor phase infiltration, ZnO,
• MeSH
• acne vulgaris * farmakoterapie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• antibakteriální látky * aplikace a dávkování   chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikrobiální testy citlivosti MeSH
• nanočástice chemie   MeSH
• oxid zinečnatý * chemie   aplikace a dávkování   MeSH
• polyvinylalkohol * chemie   aplikace a dávkování   MeSH
• Propionibacteriaceae účinky léků   MeSH
• Propionibacterium acnes účinky léků   MeSH
• Staphylococcus epidermidis účinky léků   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antibakteriální látky * MeSH
• oxid zinečnatý * MeSH
• polyvinylalkohol * MeSH

Acne is a frequently presented dermatological condition brought about by an interplay among inflammation, increased sebum production, hyperkeratinisation, and predominantly Propionibacterium acnes (renamed as Cutibacterium acnes) proliferation, leading to debilitating psychological scars. However, it has been shown that it is the loss of microbial diversity in the skin and the imbalance among C. acnes phylotypes that brings about acne rather than the C. acnes species as a whole. Interestingly, recent evidence suggests that other microorganisms may be implicated, such as the fungi Malassezia and the bacteria Cutibacterium granulosum. A plethora of scientific evidence suggests that the gut microbiome is implicated in the overall health and physiology of the host; studies show that the gut microbiome of acne patients is distinct and depicts less microbial diversity compared to individuals without acne. Herein, using the key terms: acne, C. acnes, IGF-1, sebum, and gut microbiome, we carried out a review of the literature, using Google Scholar and PubMed, and discussed the role of the gut and skin microbiome in relation to acne, as a narrative review. The role of hormones, diet, sebum, and stress in relation to the gut microbiome was also investigated. Therapeutic implications and the use of pre-/postbiotics are also deliberated upon. In this light, future research should investigate the relationship between the gut microbiome and the agreed upon factors of acne pathology, potentially leading to the discovery of novel acne treatments with milder side effects.

• Klíčová slova
• Cutibacterium acnes, Gut microbiome, Probiotics, Skin microbiome,
• MeSH
• acne vulgaris * farmakoterapie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• kůže mikrobiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikrobiota * MeSH
• Propionibacterium acnes fyziologie   MeSH
• střevní mikroflóra * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Previously, we proposed the hypothesis that similarities in the inflammatory response observed in acne vulgaris and degenerative disc disease (DDD), especially the central role of interleukin (IL)-1β, may be further evidence of the role of the anaerobic bacterium Cutibacterium (previously Propionibacterium) acnes in the underlying aetiology of disc degeneration. To investigate this, we examined the upregulation of IL-1β, and other known IL-1β-induced inflammatory markers and neurotrophic factors, from nucleus-pulposus-derived disc cells infected in vitro with C. acnes for up to 48 h. Upon infection, significant upregulation of IL-1β, alongside IL-6, IL-8, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 3 (CCL3), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 4 (CCL4), nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), was observed with cells isolated from the degenerative discs of eight patients versus non-infected controls. Expression levels did, however, depend on gene target, multiplicity and period of infection and, notably, donor response. Pre-treatment of cells with clindamycin prior to infection significantly reduced the production of pro-inflammatory mediators. This study confirms that C. acnes can stimulate the expression of IL-1β and other host molecules previously associated with pathological changes in disc tissue, including neo-innervation. While still controversial, the role of C. acnes in DDD remains biologically credible, and its ability to cause disease likely reflects a combination of factors, particularly individualised response to infection.

• Klíčová slova
• Cutibacterium acnes, co-culture, disc cells, gene expression, inflammation, intracellular, neurotrophic factors,
• MeSH
• degenerace meziobratlové ploténky genetika   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• interakce hostitele a patogenu MeSH
• interleukin-1beta genetika   MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• meziobratlová ploténka metabolismus   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• neurotrofní faktory genetika   MeSH
• Propionibacterium acnes fyziologie   MeSH
• upregulace MeSH
• zánět genetika   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• interleukin-1beta MeSH
• neurotrofní faktory MeSH

PURPOSE: Recent research shows an increasing recognition that organisms not traditionally considered infectious in nature contribute to disease processes. Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is a gram-positive, aerotolerant anaerobe prevalent in the sebaceous gland-rich areas of the human skin. A ubiquitous slow-growing organism with the capacity to form biofilm, P. acnes, recognized for its role in acne vulgaris and medical device-related infections, is now also linked to a number of other human diseases. While bacterial culture and molecular techniques are used to investigate the involvement of P. acnes in such diseases, definitive demonstration of P. acnes infection requires a technique (or techniques) sensitive to the presence of biofilms and insensitive to the presence of potential contamination. Fortunately, there are imaging techniques meeting these criteria, in particular, fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence coupled with confocal laser scanning microscopy, as well as immunohistochemistry. METHODS: Our literature review considers a range of microscopy-based studies that provides definitive evidence of P. acnes colonization within tissue from a number of human diseases (acne vulgaris, degenerative disc and prostate disease and atherosclerosis), some of which are currently not considered to have an infectious etiology. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: We conclude that P. acnes is an opportunistic pathogen with a likely underestimated role in the development of various human diseases associated with significant morbidity and, in some cases, mortality. As such, these findings offer the potential for new studies aimed at understanding the pathological mechanisms driving the observed disease associations, as well as novel diagnostic strategies and treatment strategies, particularly for degenerative disc disease. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

• Klíčová slova
• Acne vulgaris, Arthroscopy, Atherosclerosis, Biofilm, Cutibacterium acnes, Degenerative disc disease, FISH-CLSM, Propionibacterium acnes, Prostate cancer,
• MeSH
• acne vulgaris diagnostické zobrazování   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• biofilmy * MeSH
• degenerace meziobratlové ploténky * diagnostické zobrazování   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• grampozitivní bakteriální infekce * diagnostické zobrazování   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikroskopie * MeSH
• Propionibacterium acnes * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

The infant gut harbors a diverse microbial community consisting of several taxa whose persistence depends on adaptation to the ecosystem. In healthy breast-fed infants, the gut microbiota is dominated by Bifidobacterium spp.. Cutibacterium avidum is among the initial colonizers, however, the phylogenetic relationship of infant fecal isolates to isolates from other body sites, and C. avidum carbon utilization related to the infant gut ecosystem have been little investigated. In this study, we investigated the phylogenetic and phenotypic diversity of 28 C. avidum strains, including 16 strains isolated from feces of healthy infants. We investigated the in vitro capacity of C. avidum infant isolates to degrade and consume carbon sources present in the infant gut, and metabolic interactions of C. avidum with infant associated Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis and Bifidobacterium bifidum. Isolates of C. avidum showed genetic heterogeneity. C. avidum consumed d- and l-lactate, glycerol, glucose, galactose, N-acetyl-d-glucosamine and maltodextrins. Alpha-galactosidase- and β-glucuronidase activity were a trait of a group of non-hemolytic strains, which were mostly isolated from infant feces. Beta-glucuronidase activity correlated with the ability to ferment glucuronic acid. Co-cultivation with B. infantis and B. bifidum enhanced C. avidum growth and production of propionate, confirming metabolic cross-feeding. This study highlights the phylogenetic and functional diversity of C. avidum, their role as secondary glycan degraders and propionate producers, and suggests adaptation of a subpopulation to the infant gut.

• Klíčová slova
• Bifidobacterium, Cross-feeding, Cutibacterium avidum, Glucuronic acid, Infant gut microbiota,
• MeSH
• bakteriální geny genetika   MeSH
• Bifidobacterium bifidum růst a vývoj   metabolismus   MeSH
• Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis růst a vývoj   metabolismus   MeSH
• feces mikrobiologie   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• fyziologická adaptace * MeSH
• genetická variace MeSH
• genom bakteriální genetika   MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mateřské mléko metabolismus   MeSH
• mikrobiální interakce MeSH
• polysacharidy metabolismus   MeSH
• propionáty metabolismus   MeSH
• Propionibacteriaceae klasifikace   genetika   růst a vývoj   metabolismus   MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• střevní mikroflóra * genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• polysacharidy MeSH
• propionáty MeSH

PURPOSE: The presence of Propionibacterium acnes in a substantial component of resected disc specimens obtained from patients undergoing discectomy or microdiscectomy has led to the suggestion that this prominent human skin and oral commensal may exacerbate the pathology of degenerative disc disease. This hypothesis, therefore, raises the exciting possibility that antibiotics could play an important role in treating this debilitating condition. To date, however, little information about antibiotic penetration into the intervertebral disc is available. METHODS: Intervertebral disc tissue obtained from 54 microdiscectomy patients given prophylactic cefazolin (n = 25), clindamycin (n = 17) or vancomycin (n = 12) was assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography, with cefaclor as an internal standard, to determine the concentration of antibiotic penetrating into the disc tissue. RESULTS: Intervertebral disc tissues from patients receiving the positively charged antibiotic clindamycin contained a significantly greater percentage of the antibacterial dose than the tissue from patients receiving negatively charged cefazolin (P < 0.0001) and vancomycin, which has a slight positive charge (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Positively charged antibiotics appear more appropriate for future studies investigating potential options for the treatment of low-virulence disc infections. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

• Klíčová slova
• Biofilm, Cefazolin, Clindamycin, Cutibacterium acnes, Degenerative disc disease, Propionibacterium acnes, Surgical prophylaxis, Vancomycin,
• MeSH
• antibakteriální látky farmakokinetika   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• cefazolin farmakokinetika   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• degenerace meziobratlové ploténky chirurgie   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• grampozitivní bakteriální infekce prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• klindamycin farmakokinetika   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• meziobratlová ploténka metabolismus   MeSH
• Propionibacterium acnes * MeSH
• vankomycin farmakokinetika   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• výhřez meziobratlové ploténky chirurgie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antibakteriální látky MeSH
• cefazolin MeSH
• klindamycin MeSH
• vankomycin MeSH

Most patients with chronic lower back pain (CLBP) exhibit degenerative disc disease. Disc specimens obtained during initial therapeutic discectomies are often infected/colonized with Propionibacterium acnes, a Gram-positive commensal of the human skin. Although pain associated with infection is typically ascribed to the body's inflammatory response, the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus was recently observed to directly activate nociceptors by secreting pore-forming α-hemolysins that disrupt neuronal cell membranes. The hemolytic activity of P. acnes in cultured disc specimens obtained during routine therapeutic discectomies was assessed through incubation on sheep-blood agar. The β-hemolysis pattern displayed by P. acnes on sheep-blood agar was variable and phylogroup-dependent. Their molecular phylogroups were correlated with their hemolytic patterns. Our findings raise the possibility that pore-forming proteins contribute to the pathogenesis and/or symptomology of chronic P. acnes disc infections and CLBP, at least in a subset of cases.

• MeSH
• chronická nemoc MeSH
• grampozitivní bakteriální infekce komplikace   mikrobiologie   patologie   MeSH
• hemolýza * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lumbalgie komplikace   mikrobiologie   patologie   MeSH
• meziobratlová ploténka mikrobiologie   patologie   MeSH
• ovce MeSH
• Propionibacterium acnes fyziologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

The pathogenesis of degenerative disc disease is a complex and multifactorial process in which genetics, mechanical trauma, altered loading and nutrition present significant etiological factors. Infection of the intervertebral disc with the anaerobic bacterium Propionibacterium acnes is now also emerging as a potentially new etiological factor. This human commensal bacterium is well known for its long association with the inflammatory skin condition acne vulgaris. A key component of inflammatory responses to P. acnes in acne appears to be interleukin (IL)-1β. Similarly, in degenerative disc disease (DDD) there is compelling evidence for the fundamental roles of IL-1β in its pathology. We therefore propose that P. acnes involvement in DDD is biologically very plausible, and that IL-1β is the key inflammatory mechanism driving the host response to P. acnes infection. Since there is a solid theoretical basis for this phenomenon, we further propose that the relationship between P. acnes infection and DDD is causal.

• Klíčová slova
• Propionibacterium acnes, acne vulgaris, degenerative disc disease, interleukin-1 beta, nerve growth factor (NGF),
• MeSH
• biologické modely MeSH
• degenerace meziobratlové ploténky etiologie   patofyziologie   MeSH
• discitida komplikace   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• grampozitivní bakteriální infekce komplikace   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• interleukin-1beta metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Propionibacterium acnes růst a vývoj   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• interleukin-1beta MeSH

No common, unique genetic markers applicable to classification and phylogenetics for significant genera within the Propionibacteriaceae family have been suggested yet. Therefore, the aim of the study was to propose those genes in the genera Acidipropionibacterium, Cutibacterium, Propionibacterium and Pseudopropionibacterium. These genera were recently elicited from the genus Propionibacterium through whole genomic analyses. Three housekeeping genes, glyS, infB and rplB, were selected from many others according to the requirements for appropriate classification/phylogenetic markers. Concrete fragments of the genes were amplified using specific primers in most of the type (14) and 11 wild strains (originating from dairy products, human skin and the crop of a laying hen) recently classified into the genus Propionibacterium. Sequences obtained from amplicons were used to perform gene statistics and phylogenetic analyses with respect to applicability in classification, typing and phylogeny. The 16S rRNA gene sequences, still considered relevant in spite of its proven shortcomings as a basic tool for evaluation of bacterial phylogeny, were used as a baseline for comparative analyses. The statistics of the gene sequences revealed that the variable regions of all three genes have higher resolution capabilities among strains examined compared to the 16S rRNA gene analysis. Phylogenetic analyses based on individual gene sequences and their concatenate enabled to distinguish clusters of species belonging to the genera Acidipropionibacterium, Cutibacterium and Propionibacterium, which corresponds with a recently reported genomic study. Thus, the crucial importance of this study is the economically advantageous classification and typing of propionibacterial isolates and strains through the three gene regions in contrast to the requirement for whole genomic assays.

• Klíčová slova
• Propionibacteriaceae, Propionibacterium, classification, glyS, infB and rplB genes, phylogenetics,
• MeSH
• bakteriální geny * MeSH
• DNA bakterií genetika   MeSH
• fylogeneze * MeSH
• genetické markery MeSH
• kur domácí mikrobiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mléčné výrobky mikrobiologie   MeSH
• Propionibacteriaceae klasifikace   MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 16S genetika   MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• techniky typizace bakterií MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• DNA bakterií MeSH
• genetické markery MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 16S MeSH

BACKGROUND: In previous studies, Propionibacterium acnes was cultured from intervertebral disc tissue of ~25% of patients undergoing microdiscectomy, suggesting a possible link between chronic bacterial infection and disc degeneration. However, given the prominence of P. acnes as a skin commensal, such analyses often struggled to exclude the alternate possibility that these organisms represent perioperative microbiologic contamination. This investigation seeks to validate P. acnes prevalence in resected disc cultures, while providing microscopic evidence of P. acnes biofilm in the intervertebral discs. METHODS: Specimens from 368 patients undergoing microdiscectomy for disc herniation were divided into several fragments, one being homogenized, subjected to quantitative anaerobic culture, and assessed for bacterial growth, and a second fragment frozen for additional analyses. Colonies were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and P. acnes phylotyping was conducted by multiplex PCR. For a sub-set of specimens, bacteria localization within the disc was assessed by microscopy using confocal laser scanning and FISH. RESULTS: Bacteria were cultured from 162 discs (44%), including 119 cases (32.3%) with P. acnes. In 89 cases, P. acnes was cultured exclusively; in 30 cases, it was isolated in combination with other bacteria (primarily coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp.) Among positive specimens, the median P. acnes bacterial burden was 350 CFU/g (12 - ~20,000 CFU/g). Thirty-eight P. acnes isolates were subjected to molecular sub-typing, identifying 4 of 6 defined phylogroups: IA1, IB, IC, and II. Eight culture-positive specimens were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and revealed P. acnes in situ. Notably, these bacteria demonstrated a biofilm distribution within the disc matrix. P. acnes bacteria were more prevalent in males than females (39% vs. 23%, p = 0.0013). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that P. acnes is prevalent in herniated disc tissue. Moreover, it provides the first visual evidence of P. acnes biofilms within such specimens, consistent with infection rather than microbiologic contamination.

• MeSH
• biofilmy růst a vývoj   MeSH
• degenerace meziobratlové ploténky etiologie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• diskektomie MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• fenotyp MeSH
• grampozitivní bakteriální infekce komplikace   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• meziobratlová ploténka mikrobiologie   chirurgie   MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• Propionibacterium acnes izolace a purifikace   patogenita   fyziologie   MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• výhřez meziobratlové ploténky etiologie   mikrobiologie   chirurgie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH