Lymphocyte transformation in subjects with nodulo-cystic acne

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Abstract
Patients with severe nodulo-cystic acne have elevated serum antibody levels and increased immediate hypersensitivity reactions to Propionibacterium acnes. This organism is the predominant bacterium in normal pilosebaceous follicles of human skin, and can be consistently isolated from pustular lesions in acne. Previously it was observed that delayed cutaneous hypersentitivity reactions to P. acnes were negative in patients with acne. The present study investigated the proliferative response of lymphocytes from patients with nodulo-cystic acne to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and P. acnes antigen stimulation. The response to PHA stimulation was within normal limits. The response to P. acnes antigen showed a significant increase over control values obtained by testing lymphocytes from acne-free subjects. Cell mediated immunity to P. acnes may be present in subjects with severe inflammatory acne. Reactions to P. acnes may contribute to intensifying the inflammatory response in acne lesions.