Common acne bacterium actually saves you from other skin diseases

A researcher from Lund University in Sweden published a study. It was revealed that the bacteria liable for causing acne are a natural defense against varieties of skin infections.

The researcher determined that majority of common skin bacteria impart a kind of protein. The said protein was beneficial to combat reactive oxygen types, which might induce skin infections.

Rolf Lood, the principal author of the study highlighted the essence of antioxidants, like vitamins C and E. These were emphasized in terms of their natural skin defense against different possible skin diseases.

Propionibacterium acnes was the organism examined during the research. Its name came from a patient who experienced from extreme acne, and whom it was initially discovered.

However, it is to be considered that some illness might also affect the patient's condition. Propionibacterium acnes probably present with other bacteria, which absolutely gave rise to the condition.

Propionibacterium acnes was discovered to secrete a protein, called RoxP. It was detected to be defensive against oxidative trauma. 

"This protein is important for the bacterium's possible survival on our skin. The bacterium improves its living environment by secreting RoxP, but in doing so it also benefits us," explains Rolf Lood.

Oxidative stress is thought to be the lead component in various skin diseases, comprising atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and skin cancer. People have distinct levels of bacteria on their skin. It can, likewise, generate greater or smaller degree of defensive protein RoxP, as per Rolf Lood.

This will be additionally explored in both patients and experimental animals by Lood and his group. The human analysis will compare patients with basal cell carcinoma, and healthy control group. Basal cell carcinoma is a pre-cancerous state called actinic keratosis.

The research will exhibit whether there is an association between the level of disease, and the volume of RoxP presents on the skin of patients.

"If the study results are positive, they could lead to the inclusion of RoxP in sunscreens and its use in the treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis," hopes Rolf Lood.