Comparative Study of Acne Treatment with Vaccines and Systemic Antibiotics. 1. Evaluation of Therapeutic Effect

Overview

Group of 51 patients with more serious form of acne was divided in a group of 17 patients treated with tetracycline antibiotics (tetracycline or doxycycline) and in a group of 34 patients treated with freeze-dried vaccine in capsules containing strains of Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Comparison of the results showed no significant differences between the therapy with oral vaccine and antibiotics. The effect of vaccine was very good in 15 patients (44.1 %) and good in 19 patients (55.9 %). The effect of antibiotics was very good in 8 patients (47 %), good in 7 (41.2 %) and weak in 2 (11.8 %) patients. In the group treated by vaccine no side effects were noted, during the therapy with doxycycline intolerance was observed in one case. Advantage of vaccine therapy is a possibility of long-term application that prevents the relapses of inflammatory acne symptoms which are common after cessation of antibiotic treatment.

Key words:
acne – therapy – bacterial immunomodulators – oral vaccines – antibiotics