Specimens from 32 pustular acne lesions that were inoculated on media
supportive for the growth of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria showed bac
terial growth. Only aerobic or facultative bacteria were recovered in
15 (47%) specimens, only anaerobic bacteria in 11 (34%) specimens, and
mixed aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in 6 (18%) specimens. A total of
57 isolates, 31 anaerobes (1.0 per specimen) and 26 aerobes (0.8 per
specimen) were recovered. The predominant isolates were Staphylococcus
sp. (19 isolates), Peptostreptococcus sp. (15), and Propionibacterium
sp. (10). Twelve (37.5%) of the comedones yielded only one organism.
This retrospective study highlighted the polymicrobial nature of over
two-thirds of culture positive pustular acne lesions and suggests the
potential for pathogenic role of aerobic and anaerobic organisms other
than P. acnes and Staphylococcus sp. in acne vulgaris. (C) 1995 Acade
mic Press