THE PRODUCTION OF HYALURONIDASE (HYALURONATE LYASE) BY <em>CORYNEBACTERIUM ACNES</em>.

This paper presents evidence of the production of hyaluronidase by Corynebacterium acnes. In a study of seven random isolates of C. acnes from lesions of cystic acne and from normal skin, hyaluronidase activity ranged from less than one turbidity reducting unit. (TRU) to 72 TRU per mg of extracellular protein. These findings raise the interesting possibility that C. acnes hyaluronidase may play a role in the development of acne by contributing to the inflammatory phase through an increased permeability of the follicular epithelium to free fatty acids and other irritants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]