Cutibacterium spp

• C. acnes
• C. avidum
• C. granulosum

Gram Stain

• Gram positive irregular bacilli (anaerobic)

Clinical Significance

C. acnes – plays a role in the pathogenicity of acne vulgaris.  It may cause deep abscesses in patients with chronic granulomatous disease, and can cause endocarditis and medical device related infections. Predisposing factors include medical device, surgery or trauma, diabetes, or immunosuppression.  C. acnes has predilection for shoulder joint / arthroplasty infections.

C. avidum - associated with skin/soft tissue abscesses.

C. granulosum - associated with skin/soft tissue and chronic sinusitis as well as bone/joint infections and endocarditis.

Usual Susceptibility Pattern

These organisms are generally susceptible to penicillin, cephalosporins (cefazolin, ceftriaxone), and vancomycin.

Resistance has been noted to macrolides, clindamycin, and tetracyclines. 

Resistance to clindamycin may be inducible.

They are resistant to metronidazole. 

Daptomycin has activity in vitro, but clinical data is scarce.

C. acnes is resistant to mupirocin.