Facial microbiota dysbiosis is an important factor in causing acne vulgaris. The present study aimed to analyze the effect of 2% Supramolecular Salicylic Acid (SSA) on acne-associated facial bacteria. In the current study, 30 acne vulgaris patients (treated with 2% SSA for eight weeks) and ten volunteers with no facial acne were selected. Samples from acne patients (before and after treatment) and volunteers (not treated) were analyzed via high throughput sequencing, Deblur algorithm, and R microbiome package. After treatment with 2% SSA, the total lesion count and global acne grading system (GAGS) score reduced significantly (p < 0.001). Metagenomic sequencing analysis revealed that the pre-treated acne group had low α and deviated β diversity compared to the control and post-treated acne groups. Due to the treatment with 2% SSA, α diversity index was increased and β diversity was stabilized significantly (p < 0.001). The relative abundance of bacterial genera in the pre-treated acne group was uneven and had a high proportion of Staphylococcus, Ralstonia, and Streptococcus. The proportion of these three genera was significantly decreased in the post-treated group, and overall bacteria genera distribution tends toward the healthy individual. It is concluded that 2% SSA normalizes the microbial communities associated with the skin.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy combined with 2% salicylic acid for treating moderate acne. Methods: This retrospective study included outpatients with moderate acne who consulted the Department of Dermatology at Suining First People’s Hospital in Sichuan Province between April 2019 and December 2019. The patients were grouped into the photodynamic group, the salicylic acid group, and the combination therapy group, according to whether they received aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy, a 2% supramolecular salicylic acid topical masque applied once daily for 10 minutes and then washed off for four consecutive weeks, 2% salicylic acid therapy, or both treatments combined. The overall effective rate was calculated as the percentage of patients with a 60% or greater reduction in skin lesions. Adverse reactions were also collected. Results: A total of 66 patients were included, with 22 patients in each group. The combination therapy group had an overall effective rate of 72.73%, which was higher compared to the photodynamic group at 40.91% and the salicylic acid group at 22.73% (5 cases, P < 0.003). The skin lesions decreased in the photodynamic group, salicylic acid group, and combination therapy group by 11.72± 4.80%, 8.62± 3.16%, and 15.12± 7.61% (P=0.01) at week one; 26.26± 5.52%, 24.19± 5.88%, and 33.11± 8.90% (P=0.01) at week two; 42.63± 7.25%, 39.21± 9.91%, and 47.31± 9.15% (P=0.01) at week three; and 58.84± 9.45%, 52.35± 8.75%, and 65.97± 7.20% (P=0.01) at week four. Some patients experienced mild discomfort (redness, itching, pain), but no severe adverse reactions were reported. Conclusion: Photodynamic therapy combined with 2% salicylic acid therapy reduced the number of skin lesions in patients with moderate acne more than either treatment alone. The combination therapy may be tolerable with no severe adverse reactions.

Green nail syndrome (GNS) is classically characterized by a triad of green nail discoloration, paronychia, and onycholysis. Although Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( P. aeruginosa ) is the primary etiologic agent, infections involving co-pathogens are uncommon and pose considerable diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to the absence of standardized management guidelines. We herein report a rare case of GNS caused by a co-infection with P. aeruginosa and the Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) in a woman with a history of manicures and frequent domestic exposure to water and detergents. The diagnosis was confirmed through bacterial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Targeted therapy involving a combination of oral and topical levofloxacin, guided by the antimicrobial susceptibility profile, resulted in the successful resolution of the infection. This case underscores the critical importance of microbiological identification for guiding effective treatment of non-classical GNS and demonstrates the efficacy of tailored antibiotic regimens in managing complex co-infections.