Pathogens
Cutibacterium acnes

Cutibacterium acnes

Precautions

Routine Practices

Susceptibilities

General Information

  • Aerotolerant slow-growing Gram-positive bacillus.
  • Note: formerly named Propionibacterium acnes.

Naturally found as normal flora of the human skin, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles. Less commonly colonizing the conjunctiva, external ear, pharynx, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tract.

Global distribution. Transmission is usually through endogenous dissemination, although direct contact onto open surgical sites may occur. Manifestations may take years from initial inoculation event.

Nosocomial infections including:

  • Prosthetic joint infections
  • Prosthetic valve endocarditis
  • Infection of endovascular devices (pacemakers, ICDs, etc.)
  • VP shunt infections
  • Neurosurgical site infections