Bacteria and Risk Factors of Acne Vulgaris in Northern West Bank, Palestine

Resumen

Bacterial species and risk factors were examined in acne vulgaris patients inNorthern West Bank. Samples were obtained from face and upper trunk lesions of138 patients (age: 15-34 years) at Dermatology clinics. Samples were incubatedin blood agar plates under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Patients were askedto answer a questionnaire and all provided written informed consent. Bacteriawere isolated from 88% of the patients including Propionibacterium acnes,Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus. Risk factors mentionedby patients included emotional stress, high temperature, sweating and localpressure. Chocolate, nuts and fatty food were mentioned as exacerbating, andvegetables and fruits as ameliorating foods for their acne, respectively. Resultsshow high correlation between acne and bacteria with no relation between riskfactors and specific bacterial strains.

Keywords: Acne vulgaris, Palestine, West Bank, risk factor