Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Acne-causing bacteria can infect the brain

Bacteria that live on the skin and cause acne can cause an infection in the body, including infections in the brain and cancer. Incident may occur after surgery. Thankfully, this bacterium can be handled.

The bacteria called Propionibacterium acne is often underestimated. But, according to Peter Lambert, micro-biology professor from Aston University, Birmingham, England, this bacterium should get more attention. "It can attack cells and potentially become cancerous," he said.

P. acne usually live in the hair follicles, the pores of the hair out. When the clogged pores, bacteria can cause inflammation  and later called acne. Lambert found that the same inflammation can also occur in the network.
Bacteria can enter the body due to surgery. When infection occurs in the body, P. acne only be considered as a contaminant or cause contamination. P. acne is not considered a cause of disease. "Now we find any abnormalities associated with infection by P. acne. Bacterium as the cause, not merely contaminants," said Lambert.

Christopher Vinnard, infectious disease researcher at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, who was also involved in the study, reported that the bacterium P. acne can cause ulcers on the brain. Her studies involve case reports were found Vinnard boils and his colleagues.

Boils that occurred 10 years after neurosurgical operations. Biopsy showed that it contains a bacterial abscess P. acne. They claimed to be difficult to decide to appoint P. as the cause of acne. But, they get a clue. "The condition of patients improved after being given antibiotics to fight the P. acne," said Vinnard.

Several other studies have successfully linked P. acne with cancer. "P. acne ever found in a prostate cancer," said Lambert. Tissue samples from 71 prostate cancer, 58 found a network that contains P. acne. Meanwhile, from 20 healthy prostate tissue, the scientists did not find P. acne at all. "The inflammation caused by P. acne in a cell can develop into cancer," said Lambert.

Fortunately, although a role in causing infection and even cancer, treatment of P. acne practically easy. "Giving antibiotics can suppress the patient's deteriorating condition," explained Lambert.

Discovery P.acne relationship with infection in the body and the cancer is still young. Lambert, at the Society for Applied Microbiology Winter Meeting in London January 12, acknowledged there needs to be confirmed by subsequent research. (LiveScience)

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