Acne pathogenesis: history of concepts.

Abstract

From the first reliable descriptions of acne in the early 19th century, dermatologists recognized it as a disease of the pilosebaceous follicle. Until the middle of the 20th century, they hypothesized that seborrhoea, follicular keratosis and microorganisms could be individually responsible for the acne lesions. Inflammation was only regarded as the final and inescapable step of the acne process. Although the importance of these factors has been reevaluated, recent works still regarded them as mandatory. In the 1970s, the onset of isotretinoin dramatically improved acne management. It also provided great opportunities for a better understanding of the pathogenic factors of acne. This study analyzes their genesis and development from the seminal contributions until recent advances.

• Authors: Gérard Tilles
• Journal: Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) (Dermatology) Vol. 229 Issue 1 Pg. 1-46 ( 2014) ISSN: 1421-9832 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 25228295 (Publication Type: Historical Article, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Dermatologic Agents
• Hormones
• Vitamin A
• Isotretinoin

Topics

• Acne Vulgaris (drug therapy, etiology, history, pathology)
• Animals
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Dermatitis, Seborrheic (complications, history)
• Dermatologic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Diet (history)
• Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections (history, microbiology)
• History, 16th Century
• History, 17th Century
• History, 18th Century
• History, 19th Century
• History, 20th Century
• History, 21st Century
• Hormones (history)
• Humans
• Inflammation (complications, history)
• Isotretinoin (therapeutic use)
• Propionibacterium acnes
• Sebum
• Skin Diseases, Bacterial (complications, history, microbiology)
• Vitamin A (therapeutic use)