Question

Explain the mechanism that Propionibacterium acnes utilized to cause disease on skin and in the eyes.

-State what disease this microorganism causes..

-list and explain the host immune defenses that the microbe would have to overcome to be successful at causing disease (Include a discussion of what role personal hygiene plays in microbial skin and eye infections)..

- List and explain what the microbes could contain that would allow it to overcome these host immune responses.

Answer 1

Propionibacterium acnes, or P. acnes reside  in hair follicles which are like pores on our skin.When these pores get blocked, the bacteria in them go on to multiply leading to inflammation in form of acne.

Disease caused is acne vulgaris.Also causes chronic blepharitis and endophthalmitis.

The bacteria overcomes the host innate immune system i.e skin to be successfully able to cause disease.P.acnes releases lipase enzyme that digests the sebum present in skin and produces fatty acids that creates inflammation of the skin in form of acne.When hair folicles get blocked due to improper hygiene, these bacteria multiply there and cause inflammation.

The microbe contains enzyme lipase that damages the hair follicle resulting in inflammatory lesions that may be in form of  papules, pustules, nodules, or pseudocysts depending on size and severity.