In a study Researchers at Shiraz University, Department of Biology of School of Sciences, Iran found that rifampin was the most sensitive antibiotic in vitro for acne vulgaris.They suggest a combination of rifampin with other antibiotics may be more efficient in treating Acne vulgaris.They report their findings in the December 2008 issue of the Indian Journal Of Dermatology.
Acne vulgaris is one of the most common skin disorders in youth especially during the puberty which almost affect 85%-100% of peoples at sometimes during their lives.
In a study researchers collected samples from normal skin and nodulocystic and pustular skin lesions of one hundred youngsters (64 girls, 36 boys) among college students in the age range of 18-24 years old. The specimens were cultured individually on blood agar and Muller-Hinton media. The cultures were then incubated under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions for 2 to 7 days. Bacteria were identified and their resistance to common antibiotics was evaluated according to the standard procedures.
In aerobic culture of pustular and nodulocystic skin lesions, Staphylococcus aureus was present in 41% of subjects, Staphylococcus epidermidis in 53% and Micrococcus spp in 45% of subjucts. In anaerobic bacterial culture of pustular and nodulocystic skin lesions, Staphylococcus aureus was present in 39%, Propionibacterium acne in 33% and Staphylococcus epidermidis in 21% of subjects. The results of present study revealed that clindamycin and erythromycin were the least effective antibiotics for Propionibacterium acne while tetracycline was the least effective for Staphylococcus aureus in vitro . A synergic effect of benzoyl peroxide, erythromycin or clindamycin was noticed. Rifampin was the most effective antibiotic in vitro .
Their results showed that Rifampin was the most sensitive antibiotic in vitro for acne vulgaris. To achieve a better treatment, a combination of rifampin with other antibiotics may be more efficient. Researchers further suggest in vivo studies for better evaluation and treatment of acne patients with rifampin.
Hassanzadeh P, Bahmani M, Mehrabani D. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics in acne vulgaris: An in vitro study. Indian J Dermatol [serial online] 2008 [cited 2008 Dec 3];53:122-4. Available from: http://www.e-ijd.org/text.asp?2008/53/3/122/43213
Adapted from material provided by:Indian Journal Of Dermatology