Evaluation of the Role of Propionibacterium Acnes in the Inflammatory Lesions Associated With Acne Vulgaris
Evaluation of the Role of Propionibacterium Acnes in the Inflammatory Lesions Associated With Acne Vulgaris
The purpose of this study is to determine the response of acne patients and healthy control
 patients to the P. acnes bacteria. Half a tube of blood will be drawn from all participants
 to determine whether or not they have antibodies to the P. acnes bacterium. Anywhere from 1
 to 4 skin biopsies of acne pimples or normal control skin will be taken from all subjects for
 further analysis in the lab to determine whether the inflammation in these pimples can be
 reduced using anti-P.acnes antibodies.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Fits into one of the following diagnostic groups:

 1. Healthy subject with no active skin disease or history of skin disease

 2. Diagnosis of moderate-to-severe truncal acne diagnosed clinically and confirmed
 using the modified Leeds criteria with no reported use of topical acne treatments
 within the past 2 weeks prior to enrollment in the study, and no reported use of
 oral acne treatments during the past 4 weeks prior to enrollment in the study

 3. Diagnosis of moderate-to-severe truncal acne diagnosed clinically and confirmed
 using the modified Leeds criteria who has used any topical acne treatments in the
 2 weeks prior to enrolling in the study, or who has used any oral acne treatments
 during the 4 weeks prior to enrolling in the study 2. Age 18-60 years 3. Male or
 female of any race and ethnicity 4. Subject agrees to comply with study
 requirements

 Exclusion Criteria:

 1. Subjects with severe medical condition(s) that in the view of the investigator
 prohibits participation in the study

 2. Subject has Netherton's syndrome or other genodermatoses that result in a defective
 epidermal barrier

 3. Pregnant or nursing females

 4. Immunocompromised subjects (e.g., lymphoma, HIV/AIDS, Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome), or
 with a history of active or malignant disease (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) as
 determined by the participant's medical history.

 5. Subjects with a history of psychiatric disease or history of alcohol or drug abuse
 that would interfere with the ability to comply with the study protocol

 6. Subjects with significant concurrent medical condition(s) at screening that in the
 view of the investigator prohibits participation in the study (e.g., severe concurrent
 allergic disease, condition associated with malignancy, and condition associated with
 immunosuppression)

 7. Active viral or fungal skin infections at the target areas

 8. Are currently receiving lithium now or within the last 4 weeks.

 9. Ongoing participation in an investigational drug trial

 10. Use of any systemic immunosuppressive therapy less than four weeks prior to screening.

 11. Subjects with diabetes

 12. Injured, broken skin that, per the investigator, may lead to poor wound healing

 13. Subjects with allergies to anesthetic medications