Synergistic activity of dispersin B and benzoyl peroxide againstCutibacterium acnesbiofilms

Abstract

ABSTRACTCutibacterium acneshas been implicated in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris.C. acnesforms biofilms which may contribute to host colonization and antimicrobial resistance. Poly-N-acetylglucosamine (PNAG) is an exopolysaccharide that mediatesC. acnesbiofilm formation. In this study we investigated the ability of the PNAG-degrading enzyme dispersin B to sensitizeC. acnesbiofilms to killing by the anti-acne agent benzoyl peroxide (BPO).C. acnesbiofilms were cultured aerobically in glass tubes in the presence ofStaphylococcus epidermidiswhich has been shown to stimulateC. acnesbiofilm formation. Biofilms were treated with 5-80 μg/ml dispersin B and/or 0.1-2.5% BPO. Treatment of biofilms with dispersin B or BPO alone resulted in a 1-2 log reductionC. acnesCFUs, whereas treatment of biofilms with dispersin B followed by BPO resulted in a >6 log reduction inC. acnesCFUs. Concentrations as low as 5 μg/ml dispersin B and 0.5% BPO efficiently eradicatedC. acnesfrom the dual-species biofilm. Our findings confirm that PNAG protectsC. acnesfrom benzoyl peroxide killing and demonstrate that dispersin B and BPO act synergistically to killC. acnesbiofilm cells. Dispersin B may be a useful adjunct to BPO for the treatment and prevention of acne.