Strain Profile
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Cutibacterium acnes

◔ Human-origin
Sequenced
Public genome assembly available

Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) is a slow-growing bacterium that is a normal resident of human skin, particularly in sebaceous (oil-secreting) follicles. It plays a complex ecological role on the skin — certain strains are associated with acne vulgaris when conditions favor overgrowth, while others appear to be benign commensals. Indexed research covers its presence in skin and surgical microbiome studies, its association with skin conditions like acne and dry eye, and exploratory work on its detection in deep tissue. This species is not a conventional probiotic; its indexed evidence does not support any health benefit claim in the context of ingestible supplementation.

Where it's been studied

Share of this strain's 571 body-system-tagged papers that concern each system. Research coverage, not measured effect.

+5 more systems

Symptoms in the research

Share of this strain's 341 symptom-tagged papers that mention each symptom or condition. Research coverage, not evidence of benefit.

+11 more symptoms

Research

698 papers reference this strain in the probiotic database.

Match confidence
2026 ANIMAL
Wogonin Ameliorates the Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis, and Extracellular Matrix Degradation of Nucleus Pulposus Cells Mediated by Cutibacterium acnes via the MAPK Signaling Pathway: An In Vivo and In Vitro Study
· International Journal of Molecular Sciences
2026 REVIEW
AKNE PATOGENEZIDA TERI MIKROBIOMASINING ROLI
· Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
2026 ANIMAL
Intervertebral disc puncture predisposes the disc to Cutibacterium acnes infection via hematogenous and contiguous routes: a rat model study
· Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
2026 RCT
The Effect of Microneedling Mesotherapy, Chemical Exfoliation and Combination Therapy on Selected Skin Parameters and Cutibacterium acnes Colonization in Women With Oily Skin
· Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
2026 OBSERVATIONAL
Preliminary characterization of the skin microbiota in basal cell carcinoma: An exploratory pilot study in Korean patients
· The Journal of Microbiology
2026 IN_VITRO
Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) is a common skin commensal associated with acne pathogenesis. Here, we investigated the capacity of acne-associated (CA) and healthy skin-associated (CH) C. acnes strains to induce extracellular trap (ET) formation in human neutrophils (NETs) and Th17 cells (TETs) and performed proteomic analyses to define their molecular signatures. NETs displayed a conserved protein profile regardless of the C. acnes strain, whereas TETs exhibited strain-specific proteomic profiles. CA-induced TETs were enriched in inflammatory and extracellular matrix remodeling proteins, while CH-induced TETs showed upregulation of nuclear, mitochondrial, and antimicrobial proteins, including granulysin, granzyme B, and cathepsin C. These findings underscore strain- and cell type-specific regulation of ET formation and suggest that CH-induced TETs may contribute to skin immune homeostasis, whereas CA-induced TETs may promote inflammatory and tissue remodeling responses in acne. Our study reveals a potential mechanism by which skin microbiota differentially modulates Th17 effector programs, ultimately influencing downstream immune activity and skin health.
· Open MIND
2026 REVIEW
Cutibacterium acnes and Acne Vulgaris: A Narrative Review of Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, Management, and Future Perspectives
· Open MIND
2026 OTHER
Pseudolysogeny-mediated evolutionary trade-offs favor phage therapy by limiting antibiotic resistance and virulence in Cutibacterium acnes
· Scientific Reports
2026 IN_VITRO
Unraveling the Enigmatic Behavior of Cutibacterium acnes: Exploring Clinical Correlations and Behaviors of Clinical Strains in Prosthetic Joint Infections
· International Journal of Microbiology
2026 ANIMAL
Microbiome-Derived Indole-3-Lactic Acid Attenuates Cutibacterium Acnes-Induced Inflammation via the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Pathway
· International Journal of Molecular Sciences
2026 IN_VITRO
Antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of Rosa damascena extracts on clinical isolates of Cutibacterium acnes
· Reviews in Medical Microbiology
2026 REVIEW
Scalp Microbiome Alterations in Androgenetic Alopecia: Patterns and Emerging Mechanistic Insights
· International Journal of Dermatology
2026 REVIEW
Endogenous Hypersensitivity Infection: A Unifying Framework for Cutibacterium acnes-Associated Sarcoidosis
· Microorganisms
2026 REVIEW
Acne Infection (Acne Vulgaris) and the Relationship between Cutibacterium Acnes Colonization and Severity
· Journal of Community Health Provision
2026 IN_VITRO
Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy using sodium iron chlorophyllin against drug-resistant Cutibacterium acnes from patients with acne vulgaris
· Scientific Reports
2026 OTHER
Pulmonary Abscess Caused by Cutibacterium acnes in an Immunocompetent Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
· Cureus
2026 IN_VITRO
Cutibacterium acnes inhibits Staphylococcus lugdunensis biofilm formation through inhibition of autolysis and purine biosynthesis
· npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
2026 OBSERVATIONAL
UMI-guided single locus sequence typing method for phylotyping Cutibacterium acnes from skin samples
· Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
2026 ANIMAL
Enhancing Antibacterial Activity of Medinilla speciosa Blume Fruits Against Cutibacterium acnes Through Phytosome Delivery: An In Vivo Study
· Pharmaceuticals
2026 REVIEW
Pathophysiology of Acne Vulgaris: An Integrative Narrative Review
· Quality in Sport
Browse all 698 papers →

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Citations

Selected papers that name this strain.

  1. [1]
    Randomized Controlled Study of Bacteriophages in Acne Reveals Efficacy and Novel Mechanism for Promoting Long-Term Skin Health
    · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology · 2026
    PMID 42235049 →
  2. [2]
    Efficacy of Topical Propolis and Aloe vera Gel as an Adjuvant to Benzoyl Peroxide in Moderate Acne Vulgaris: A Randomized Controlled Trial
    · Dermatologic Therapy · 2026
    Source →
  3. [3]
    Open‐Label, Prospective Study of a Prebiotic Gel Cream on Its Efficacy of Mild to Moderate Acne Management and Effects on the Functional Skin Microbiome
    · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2025
    PMID 41098119 →
  4. [4]
    Topical Application of Skin Biome Care Regimen Containing Live Cultures and Ferments of Cutibacterium acnes defendens strain XYCM42 and the Impact on Clinical Outcomes Following Microneedle-induced Skin Remodeling.
    · PubMed · 2023
    PMID 38125668 →
  5. [5]
    Characterization of a live Cutibacterium acnes subspecies defendens strain XYCM42 and clinical assessment as a topical regimen for general skin health and cosmesis
    · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2022
    PMID 36374551 →
  6. [6]
    Development of a Topical Bacteriophage Gel Targeting Cutibacterium Acnes for Acne Prone Skin and Results of a Phase 1 Cosmetic Randomized Clinical Trial
    · Skin Health and Disease · 2022
    PMID 35677920 →
  7. [7]
    Complete Draft Genome Sequence of Cutibacterium (Propionibacterium) acnes Type Strain ATCC6919
    · International Journal of Dermatology and Venereology · 2020
    Source →
  8. [8]
    Reduced Bacterial Burden of the Skin Surrounding the Shoulder Joint Following Topical Protocatechuic Acid Application
    · JBJS Open Access · 2020
    PMID 32803100 →
  9. [9]
    Safety and Efficacy of Topically Applied Selected Cutibacterium acnes Strains over Five Weeks in Patients with Acne Vulgaris: An Open-label, Pilot Study
    · Acta Dermato Venereologica · 2019
    PMID 31573666 →
  10. [10]
    Topically Applied Antibiotics in Acne Vulgaris
    · Archives of Dermatology · 1976
    PMID 134675 →