The Effectiveness of Autologous Serum and Single-dose Oral Doxycycline in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris: A Pilot Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs with various factors, both intrinsic and extrinsic. Treatment of choice can vary from topical, systemic or a combination of both depending on the degree of severity. Recently, treatment using products from human blood has been widely studied, including in the field of dermatology as it has a unique composition.
AIM: The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of autologous serum and single-dose oral doxycycline in the treatment of acne vulgaris
METHODS: This clinical trial compared two groups which received autologous serum only and autologous serum combined with single dose of oral 200 mg doxycycline, respectively. Photographic pictures and number of lesions (blackheads, papules, and pustules) were compared before and after application using Wilcoxon test.
RESULTS: A total of 20 participants participated in this study. Both treatment groups showed significant decrease in lesion count (p < 0.01). However, the group which received autologous serum and single dose of oral doxycycline showed superior improvement of inflammatory acne lesions.
CONCLUSION: Autologous serum and single dose of oral doxycycline was superior to autologous serum only in the treatment acne lesions.