IGG SUBCLASSES SPECIFIC TO STAPHYLOCOCCUS-EPIDERMIDIS AND PROPIONIBACTERIUM-ACNES IN PATIENTS WITH ACNE-VULGARIS

IgG subclasses specific to Staphylococcus epidermidis and Propionibact erium acnes were determined in sera from patients with mild, moderate or severe acne and from a control group. Titres specific to S. epiderm idis were all within the same range and did not differ between groups. The titres of IgG subclasses specific to P. acnes did vary between gr oups. IgG(1) and IgG(3) were significantly higher in severe acne patie nts compared with moderate acne patients, while IgG(2) was significant ly higher in moderate and severe patients compared with controls. Titr es of IgG(4) did not differ between groups. The pattern of titres obse rved suggests that, while the antibody response to S. epidermidis is r elatively harmless, antibodies to P. acnes may be involved in the path ogenesis of acne vulgaris.