Cutibacterium acnes strain P15-178

Cutibacterium acnes strain P15-178 is a Gram-positive, anaerobic bacterium primarily associated with human hosts (Homo sapiens). This microorganism exhibits a rod shape and is characterized by its non-motility, lacking flagella despite their presence being noted. The strain thrives optimally at 37°C, placing it within a mesophilic temperature range, indicative of its adaptation to the human body environment. C. acnes strain P15-178 is not known to sporulate, maintaining a single membrane structure and possessing one replicon. The bacterium is described as free-living and has been implicated in several health conditions, including acute bacterial meningitis, thoracic actinomycosis, and common acne. Notably, it is also associated with more severe health issues such as epithelial ovarian cancer and infectious complications following vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty procedures. The presence of this strain in various health complications underscores its ecological role within the human microbiome. While C. acnes is often recognized for its association with acne, its potential involvement in serious infections highlights the complexity of its biotic relationships and the need for careful consideration of its role in human health and disease. This duality suggests that while it is a normal inhabitant of skin microbiota, it can also transition to a pathogenic state under certain conditions, warranting further research into its mechanisms and interactions within the host.