Propionibacterium acnes, an anaerobic, non-spore-forming, gram-positive bac
illus, is a common inhabitant of the skin, and its virulence is considered
to be low in humans. This report describes an unusual case of granulomatous
colitis associated with P acnes infection in a 46-year-old woman. The affe
cted cecum exhibited a tumor histologically characterized by massive transm
ural infiltrates of small lymphocytes and noncaseating epithelioid granulom
as with multinucleated giant cells. Botryomycotic granules were also found
in the muscular layer and paracolic connective tissues and consisted of gra
m-positive bacilli with filamentous growth. Polymerase chain reaction confi
rmed the presence of P acnes 16S ribosomal DNA in the surgical specimen of
the colon. The patient developed a postoperative P acnes-induced peritoniti
s, which subsided with treatment with antibiotics and surgical drainage. Th
e present case indicates that P acnes is one of the possible pathogens for
granulomatous colitis.