Author: Duong Thi Bich, Nguyen Van Ba, Huynh Van Ba
SUMMARY
Objective: To assess the presence of Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis in patients with acne using topical corticosteroids.
Subject and method: This survey was conducted in 51 patients who had acnes. Among them, 27 patients (52.6%) were using topical corticosteroids, 20 patients (39.2%) were using other topical products, and 4 patients (7.8%) were not using any cosmetics.
Results: of 27 cases using topical corticosteroids, 14 patients had infection with Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis (77.8%). This prevalence was significantly higher than in individuals using other cosmetics (11.1%, n=2) (p=0.03). Common clinical manifestations of acnes were comedones and pustules (43.1%, n=22). Patients infected by all three above bacteria accounted for the highest prevalence (83.3%, n=15).
Keywords: Topical corticoid, Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, acne.