Production of oil in a brain abscess caused by Propionibacterium acnes.

The article offers information on the production of oil in a brain abscess caused by the presence of the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes. Propionibacterium is a pleomorphic, Gram-positive coryneform rod, which produces propionic acid as a major end product of metabolism. Such bacteria has been known to produce exoenzymes which are adaptive and dependent on the culture substrates. It hydrolyses the triglycerides in the sebum and releases fatty acids that act as irritants to induce inflammation.