BACILLUS ACNES Meaning and
Definition
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Bacillus acnes, also known as Propionibacterium acnes, is a gram-positive, anaerobic bacterium that forms part of the human skin microbiota. It is commonly found on the skin, particularly in the sebaceous areas such as the face, chest, and back.
Bacillus acnes is an opportunistic pathogen and is associated with various skin conditions, such as acne vulgaris, which affects approximately 80% of adolescents and young adults. It is thought to play a role in the development of acne by colonizing the hair follicles and sebaceous glands. The bacterium feeds on the sebum produced by the sebaceous glands and releases inflammatory mediators that trigger an immune response, leading to the characteristic symptoms of acne, including pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads.
Additionally, Bacillus acnes is also implicated in certain types of infections, such as prosthetic joint infections, endophthalmitis, and infections associated with medical devices. While generally considered harmless, certain strains of Bacillus acnes may possess virulence factors that contribute to their pathogenicity.
Treatment of Bacillus acnes infections typically involves antibiotic therapy targeted against the bacterium, although antibiotic resistance has become a concern in recent years. Topical medications, oral antibiotics, and other treatments may be prescribed to manage acne and other related conditions caused by this bacterium.
Overall, Bacillus acnes is a bacterium that normally resides on the skin but can become problematic and contribute to the development of acne and other infections if the conditions are favorable for its growth and proliferation.
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A short, plump, gram-positive b. found by Unna in comedones and acne lesions.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for BACILLUS ACNES
- vacillus acnes
- nacillus acnes
- hacillus acnes
- gacillus acnes
- bzcillus acnes
- bscillus acnes
- bwcillus acnes
- bqcillus acnes
- baxillus acnes
- bavillus acnes
- bafillus acnes
- badillus acnes
- bacullus acnes
- bacjllus acnes
- backllus acnes
- bacollus acnes
- bac9llus acnes
- bac8llus acnes
- baciklus acnes
- baciplus acnes
Etymology of BACILLUS ACNES
The word "Bacillus acnes" has a Latin etymology. "Bacillus" is derived from the Latin word "baculum", which means "a small staff" or "wand". In microbiology, "bacillus" refers to a rod-shaped bacterium, and in this case, it is specifically referring to the bacterium that causes acne.
The term "acnes" comes from the Latin word "acnēs", which means "eruption" or "blemish" on the skin. Therefore, "Bacillus acnes" collectively refers to the rod-shaped bacterium that is associated with the development of acne.
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