How Do You Spell CORYNEBACTERIUM ACNES?

1. Corynebacterium acnes, also known as Cutibacterium acnes, is a Gram-positive bacterium that commonly resides on human skin. It is a small, non-spore forming, rod-shaped bacterium and is an essential part of the normal skin microbiota. It is an anaerobic bacterium, meaning it thrives in environments with little to no oxygen.

   Corynebacterium acnes is known to be involved in acne formation. It colonizes the pilosebaceous units, which are hair follicles connected to sebaceous glands on the skin, and contributes to the development of inflammatory acne lesions. This bacterium feeds on the sebum produced by the sebaceous glands, and the breakdown products of sebum metabolism can trigger an immune response, resulting in inflammation and the formation of acne.

   However, it is important to note that Corynebacterium acnes is not solely responsible for acne development; other factors such as hormonal changes, genetics, and environmental influences also play significant roles.

   Some strains of Corynebacterium acnes produce enzymes that can break down sebum further, leading to the development of free fatty acids. These fatty acids are known to be comedogenic, meaning they can clog the hair follicles and contribute to the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads).

   It is worth mentioning that while Corynebacterium acnes is commonly associated with acne, it also exists as a normal resident on healthy skin, where it acts as a protective barrier against other harmful microorganisms.

Common Misspellings for CORYNEBACTERIUM ACNES

The word "Corynebacterium acnes" is a scientific name that consists of two parts:

1. Corynebacterium: The term "Corynebacterium" has its roots in the Greek language. "Koryne" translates to "club" or "club-shaped", whereas "bacterium" means "bacterium" in Latin. Together, "Corynebacterium" refers to a genus of bacteria characterized by their club-shaped appearance.

2. Acnes: The term "acnes" is derived from the Latin word "acne" meaning "a skin eruption". This name was given to the bacterium due to its association with acne, a common skin condition caused in part by the presence of this bacterium on the skin.