Skin Microbiome Research Articles

Skin-associated Corynebacterium amycolatum shares cobamides.

The human skin serves as a crucial barrier for the body and hosts a diverse community of microbes known as the skin microbiome. The interactions that occur to maintain a healthy skin microbiome are largely unknown but are thought to be driven in part, by nutrient sharing between species in close association. Here we show that the skin-associated bacteria Corynebacterium amycolatum produces and shares cobalamin, a cofactor essential for survival in organisms across all domains of life. This study provides a unique model to study metabolite sharing by skin microorganisms, which will be critical for understanding the fundamental interactions that occur within the skin microbiome and for developing therapeutic approaches aiming to engineer and manipulate the skin microbiota.

Cutibacterium acnes bacteriophage therapy: exploring a new frontier in acne vulgaris treatment.

The skin microbiome, encompassing a variety of microorganisms, plays a critical role in skin health and function. Acne vulgaris, affecting approximately 9.4% of the global population, is a prevalent skin condition primarily targeting pilosebaceous units rich in sebaceous glands. The condition is influenced by factors such as hormonal changes, sebaceous gland dysfunction, and the activity of Cutibacterium acnes, a gram-positive bacterium linked to acne development. The skin's immune system, particularly keratinocytes with pattern recognition receptors like Toll-like receptors (TLRs), plays a crucial role in recognizing and responding to bacterial presence. The onset of acne is often linked to adolescence, marked by significant hormonal fluctuations. Genetics also plays a role, with family history being a notable risk factor. Acne is characterized by distinct alterations in the C. acnes composition, with specific phylotypes associated with either commensal or pathogenic behavior. Traditional treatments include antibiotics, but the rise of antibiotic resistance has led to exploring alternative therapies, such as bacteriophage therapy. Bacteriophages offer a targeted approach to treating acne by targeting C. acnes strains, potentially reducing antibiotic resistance and enhancing treatment efficacy. Phage therapy shows promise, but further research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness and potential in clinical applications. Additionally, combining phages with antibiotics may offer a synergistic approach to overcoming antibiotic resistance and managing acne.

Evaluation of the Effects of Age, Sex, and Dexpanthenol-Containing Skin Care on the Facial and Body Skin Microbiome

Given the pivotal role played by the microbiome in skin health, it is important to understand how its composition varies with age, sex, and body site and regular use of topical products. Four studies were carried out to determine the effects of long-term (4-week) use of different dexpanthenol-containing topical products on the skin microbiome of a varied population with cosmetically dry skin. The skin microbiome composition was assessed before and after product usage. No significant changes in microbiome richness or diversity were found for the individual test products; however, a meta-analysis of the combined dataset did show changes in microbiome composition as a function of the subject’s sex, age, and body site. The work presented here demonstrates how the use of carefully formulated topical products on skin, when used in a way that is representative of real-life usage conditions, can respect the microbial diversity present on skin across a widely varied study population.

The Place of Topical Combined Multicomponent Drugs in the Therapy of Complicated Dermatoses (Resolution of the Expert Council)

On June 15, 2024, an expert council was held in Moscow on the topic: «The Place of Topical Combined Multicomponent Drugs in the Treatment of Complicated Dermatoses.» The council became the basis for discussing the accumulated clinical and organizational problems in the field of using multicomponent drugs in algorithms for managing patients with dermatoses of combined etiology, with concomitant visceral or cutaneous comorbidity, the influence of exposome factors on the course of steroid-sensitive, potentially complicated skin diseases. The council discussed the feasibility of prescribing multicomponent drugs in patients with altered skin microbiome against the background of dermatoses, taking into account the risk factors for the addition of a secondary infection. The prerequisites for creating a modern algorithm for the use and the place of a three-component drug produced using micronization technology, containing betamethasone, gentamicin and clotrimazole, as part of the complex therapy of chronic inflammatory itchy skin diseases were discussed.

Revisiting microgenderome: detecting and cataloguing sexually unique and enriched species in human microbiomes

BackgroundMicrogenderome or arguably more accurately microsexome refers to studies on sexual dimorphism of human microbiomes aimed at investigating bidirectional interactions between human microbiomes, sex hormones, and immune systems. It is important because of its implications to disease susceptibility and therapy, in which men and women demonstrate divergence in many diseases especially autoimmune diseases. In a previous report [1], we presented analyses of several key ecological aspects of microgenderome by leveraging the large datasets of the HMP (human microbiome project) but failed to offer species-level composition differences such as sexually unique species (US) and enriched species (ES). Existing approaches, for such tasks, including differential species relative abundance analysis and differential network analysis, possess certain limitations given that virtually all rely on species abundance alone or are univariate, while ignoring species distribution information across samples. Obviously, it is both species abundance and distribution that shape/drive the structure and dynamics of human microbiomes, and both should be equally responsible for the universal heterogeneity of microbiomes including the sexual dimorphism.ResultsHere, we fill the gap by taking advantages of a recently developed computational algorithm, species specificity, and specificity diversity (SSD) framework (refer to the companion article) to reanalyze the HMP and complementary seminovaginal microbiome datasets. The SSD framework can randomly search and catalogue the sexually specific unique/enriched species with statistical rigor, guided by species specificity (a synthetic metric of abundance and distribution) and specificity diversity (SD). The SSD framework reveals that men seem to have more unique species than women in their gut and reproductive system microbiomes, but women seem to have more unique species than men in the airway, oral, and skin microbiomes, which is likely due to sexual dimorphism in the hormone and immune systems. We further investigate co-dependency and heterogeneity of those sexually unique/enriched species across 15 body sites, with core/periphery network analyses.ConclusionsThis study not only produced sexually unique/enriched species in the human microbiomes and analyzed their codependency and heterogeneity but also further validated the robustness of the SSD framework presented in the companion article, by performing all negative control tests based on the HMP gut microbiome samples.

Anti-acne preparations containing tetracycline, azelaic acid and azeloglycine: Optimization of stability and physicochemical properties.

Acne vulgaris is a common inflammatory skin condition affecting almost 85% of the adolescent and young adult population. The etiopathogenesis of this dermatosis involves an imbalance in the skin microbiome, leading to inflammation of both the skin and hair follicles. The aim of this study was to develop topical anti-acne formulations with increased therapeutic efficacy and reduced risk of developing antibiotic resistance. Six hydrogel formulations containing azelaic acid or its derivative, azeloglycine, in combination with tetracycline hydrochloride were prepared as part of the study. The investigated formulations were prepared using an Eprus U500 pharmaceutical mixer and the pH was determined using an ERH-11S electrode designed for dense substances and a CPC-505 Elmetron pH-meter. The formulations were analyzed for tetracycline stability in the presence of additional active ingredients and varying pH over a period of 35 days using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In addition, the effects of azeloglycine and azelaic acid on the viscosity of the prepared formulations were evaluated using a Brookfield DV2T rotational viscometer. Chromatographic analysis showed significant stability of tetracycline in most formulations, with azeloglycine-containing formulations showing less degradation of the antibiotic than azelaic acid-containing preparations. In addition, azeloglycine-containing gels exhibited more favorable rheological properties, which may facilitate better application and be more beneficial to patients. The results suggest that formulations containing azeloglycine and tetracycline may be a promising strategy for acne therapy, offering increased tetracycline stability and an optimal rheological profile, which may result in prolonged therapeutic effect and more effective drug delivery to the skin.

Probiotic effects on skin health: comprehensive visual analysis and perspectives.

Bacteria play a crucial role in maintaining the health of human skin. Research has demonstrated that probiotics present notable benefits for extraintestinal organs. Despite the extensive research on the impact of probiotics on skin health, there is a notable absence of regulatory frameworks governing their external application, with no approval from the FDA for any probiotic products for external use. The aim of this study is to offer a thorough summary of the research status in the field since 2000 and project future trends. The Web of Science Core Collection and SCI-Expanded index were selected for an extensive search of studies concerning the role of probiotics in skin health since 2000. A total of 1,306 publications were identified. Employing a double-blind method, two subsets of literature were scrutinized and subsequently combined for analysis. Using CiteSpace, this research explored key aspects such as primary countries, institutions, authors, journals, trending topics, research frontiers, and emerging patterns in research related to application of probiotic for skin health. This article included 709 research papers. The number of published papers has shown a rapid increase. The United States had the highest number of research papers (128), and Canada had the highest intermediate centrality (0.23). The University of California System emerged as the most prolific institution. Huang, Chun-Ming has published the most articles, and his research is at the forefront among those prolific authors. Twelve clusters were identified, with cluster #0 skin microbiota, #3 mechanisms, and #8 antimicrobial being the most recent. As for the hot topic, "diversity," "health," "skin microbiome," "oxidative stress," "microbiota," and "antioxidants" have been at the forefront of the current field. The overall research trend has shifted from clinical trials to mechanistic exploration and from oral treatments to external applications, with the research level moving from general categories to specific strains. This paper summarized and visualized academic achievements in the field of probiotic application for skin health using CiteSpace and VOSviewer, offering a systematic and comprehensive perspective, along with a longitudinal overview of this research field.

The bacterial burden of worn face masks-observational research and literature review.

Facemasks were widely mandated during the recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Especially the use by the general population is associated with a higher risk of improper handling of the mask and contamination and potential adverse microbiological consequences. We investigated and quantified bacterial accumulation in facemasks used by the general population, using 16S rRNA (Sanger Sequencing), culture and biochemical analysis along with Rose Bengal staining. Additionally, a systematic overview of the literature on face mask contamination was undertaken. We found an average bacterial load of 4.24 × 104 CFU recovered/mask, with a maximum load of 2.85 × 105 CFU. This maximum is 310 times higher than the limit value for contamination of ventilation system outlet surfaces specified by the German standard VDI 6022. Biochemical and molecular identification predominantly found Staphylococcus species (80%), including Staphylococcus aureus, along with endospore-forming Bacillus spp. Literature reports also indicate contamination of masks by bacterial and fungal opportunists of the genera Acinetobacter, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Bacillus, Cadosporium, Candida, Escherichia, Enterobacter, Enterococcus, Klebsiella (including K. pneumoniae), Micrococcus, Microsporum, Mucor, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. Bacterial counts increase linearly with wearing duration. Prolonged use may affect the skin and respiratory microbiomes, promoting consequential eye, skin, oral and airway conditions. These aspects underscore the urgent need for further research and a risk-benefit analysis in respect of mask use, particularly given their unproven efficacy in disrupting the transmission of respiratory viruses and their adverse social consequences.

Alkaloids are associated with increased microbial diversity and metabolic function in poison frogs.

Shifts in host-associated microbiomes can impact both host and microbes.1,2,3,4,5,6 It is of interest to understand how perturbations, like the introduction of exogenous chemicals,7,8,9,10,11,12,13 impact microbiomes. In poison frogs (family Dendrobatidae), the skin microbiome is exposed to alkaloids that the frogs sequester for defense.14,15,16,17,18,19 These alkaloids are antimicrobial20,21,22; however, their effect on the frogs' skin microbiome is unknown. To test this, we characterized microbial communities from field-collected dendrobatid frogs. Then, we conducted a laboratory experiment to monitor the effect of the alkaloid decahydroquinoline (DHQ) on the microbiome of two frog species with contrasting alkaloid loads in nature. In both datasets, we found that alkaloid-exposed microbiomes were more phylogenetically diverse, with an increase in diversity among rare taxa. To better understand the isolate-specific response to alkaloids, we cultured microbial isolates from poison frog skin and found that many isolates exhibited enhanced growth or were not impacted by the addition of DHQ. To further explore the microbial response to alkaloids, we sequenced the metagenomes from high- and low-alkaloid frogs and observed a greater diversity of genes associated with nitrogen and carbon metabolism in high-alkaloid frogs. From these data, we hypothesized that some strains may metabolize the alkaloids. We used stable isotope tracing coupled to nanoSIMS (nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry), which supported the idea that some of these isolates are able to metabolize DHQ. Together, these data suggest that poison frog alkaloids open new niches for skin-associated microbes with specific adaptations, such as alkaloid metabolism, that enable survival in this environment.

Evaluating the Impact of Laundry Detergents on the Skin Microbiome of Atopic Dermatitis Patients-A Clinical Study.

Remnants of laundry detergent ingredients are suspected to be in constant contact with the skin. Allergy sufferers need assurance that the chemicals in everyday products do not cause such disruption. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects and tolerability of common laundry detergents on the skin microbiome in individuals with atopic dermatitis. Two laundry detergents for sensitive skin were tested on subjects with atopic dermatitis by having to wear detergent-washed socks for 7 days. The bacterial population from volunteers' skin swabs was determined and bacterial viability and biodiversity was evaluated before and after wearing the detergent-washed socks. The tolerability and effect on atopic dermatitis was also evaluated. The results showed that the tested laundry detergents did not have a negative effect on bacterial viability or biodiversity on the skin after being exposed to the detergent-washed socks for a week. The laundry detergents were rated as very good on the tolerability scale and no worsening of skin itch was reported with the use of either detergent. The results of the study showed that both laundry detergents are skin and allergy friendly and do not alter the skin microbiome.

147 Impact of urbanization on the skin microbiome

147 Impact of urbanization on the skin microbiome

Phylosymbiosis in Seven Wild Fish Species Collected Off the Southern Coast of Korea: Skin Microbiome Most Strongly Reflects Evolutionary Pressures

Phylosymbiosis is defined as the relationship in which the microbiome recapitulates the phylogeny of the host and has been demonstrated in a variety of terrestrial organisms, although it has been understudied in fish, the most phylogenetically diverse vertebrate. Given that the species-specificity of fish microbiomes was detected in multiple body parts and differed by body parts, we assumed that the phylogenetic reflection of the microbiome would differ across body parts. Thus, we analyze the difference of phylosymbiotic relationships in the microbial communities found in three body parts (skin, gills, and intestine) of seven wild fish species from four families (Labridae, Sebastidae, Sparidae, and Rajidae) via 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Fishes were purchased at Docheon port market in Tongyeong City, Korea and were transported to nearby research institutes for aliveness. Mantel tests using dissimilarity values of microbiomes and hosts’ divergence times showed that the differences in microbial communities in all three body parts were related to the hosts’ divergence time. This pattern was the most pronounced in the skin. Furthermore, fishes from the same family showed similar bacterial compositions on their skins and gills, with clear differences depending on the family, with the exception of Labridae. These results suggest that the skin microbiome is particularly vulnerable to evolutionary pressures. We hypothesized that the evolution of the fish immune system and the difference in feeding habits induced the stronger phylosymbiotic signal in the skin. Collectively, this dataset will be useful for understanding the fish microbiome and give insights into phylosymbiosis of aquatic animals across body parts.

The Skin Microbiome in the First Year of Life and Its Association With Atopic Dermatitis.

The Skin Microbiome in the First Year of Life and Its Association With Atopic Dermatitis.

227 Combination of pre-, postbiotic and Humulus lupulus extract complex on skin microbiome

227 Combination of pre-, postbiotic and Humulus lupulus extract complex on skin microbiome

561 Skin microbiome changes in the healing process of diabetic ulcers

561 Skin microbiome changes in the healing process of diabetic ulcers

Synergistic toxicity of cadmium and triadimefon on the microbiota and health of Rana dybowskii tadpoles

The skin and gut microbiota are crucial to amphibians. Triadimefon (TF), a widely used triazole fungicide, controls crop diseases and regulates growth, with uncertain effects on amphibian microbiota. Contamination, typically involving mixed chemicals at low concentrations, including cadmium (Cd) and TF, may detrimentally affect amphibian growth, survival, and microbiota health in both the skin and gut, but few research has examined these consequences. This research examines the impact of Cd and TF on Rana dybowskii tadpoles, focusing on survival, body mass, and microbiome changes over 28 days across four groups: control, Cd, TF, and Cd + TF groups. Results showed significant reductions in survival and body mass in Cd and TF-treated groups, with the combination group being the most affected. Microbiota analysis revealed significant dysbiosis in both gut and skin microbiomes under pollutant stress, with a marked microbiota and a shift in dominant microbial communities. Function prediction analysis based on the microbiome composition highlighted significant differences across various biological pathways, including metabolism, immune system, environmental adaptation, and disease resistance. These alterations suggest that pollutant exposure compromises the tadpoles' ability to maintain homeostasis and resist pathogens. In conclusion, this study reveals the detrimental effects of Cd and TF on the survival, growth, and microbiomes of R. dybowskii tadpoles, indicating significant environmental and health risks.

Naturally Occurring Microbiota-Accessible Borates: A Focused Minireview

Recently, we discovered and proved the essentiality of organic boron species (OBS), such as borate–pectic polysaccharides and borate–phenolic esters, for healthy symbiosis (HS) between microbiota and human/animal (H/A) host. The essentiality of OBS will provide new options for B supplementation in H/A nutrition for a healthy and long life. New knowledge on the essentiality of naturally occurring microbiota-accessible borate species for HS between microbiota and H/A host will allow the use of natural B-based dietary supplements to target the H/A microbiome (the gut, skin, oral, scalp, and vaginal microbiome). In the literature, there is evidence that certain bacteria need B (autoinducer-2 borate) for communication and our preliminary data show that HS takes place when the colonic mucus gel layer contains B. Subsequently, OBS become novel prebiotic candidates and target the colon as novel colonic foods.

Skin microbiome dynamics in patients with polymorphic light eruption in response to UV radiations.

Polymorphic light eruption (PLE) is the most frequent photodermatosis in Europe with an estimated prevalence of 10 to 20%, particularly in temperate climates. Itching or burning lesions appear only in sun-exposed areas, predominantly on the chest, the arms and forearms within a few hours following exposure. The disease's cause is still unknown, yet studies have suggested that skin microbial elements may play a role in its pathogenesis. We investigated in this cohort the skin microbiome of PLE patients upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), to assess its role in the onset of PLE lesions. Forty-one skin swabs have been collected from eleven PLE patients at baseline and following a three-day exposure to UVR and from healthy controls. The collected swabs were analyzed for their microbial composition using a 16S amplicon sequencing approach. The PLE skin showed a dysbalanced microbiome, already at baseline, with significantly reduced microbial diversity and noticeable colonization by bacterial pathogens as Staphylococcus aureus. Upon UVR exposure, the PLE microbiome exhibited a further loss of diversity and decline of beneficial skin commensals. In line with this, we observed that UVR exerted strong antimicrobial effects in vitro against representative skin residents. Taken together, UVR can lead to profound skin microbiome changes, allowing the proliferation of dysbiotic members that can release a variety of elements able to trigger PLE lesions. This is the first study investigating the cutaneous microbiome changes in PLE patients upon UVR, offering new insights into disease pathogenesis, so far unexplored.

Anti-OX40 Biological Therapies in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis: A Comprehensive Review.

Introduction. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most prevalent inflammatory dermatological disorder, affecting a significant percentage of the global population. This chronic disease has a multifactorial and intricate pathogenesis, influenced by genetic predisposition, skin barrier dysfunction, immune dysregulation, neuroimmune mechanisms, and alterations in the skin microbiome, among other factors. Methods. The treatment of AD has faced significant clinical challenges due to the ineffectiveness of conventional therapies. However, recent advances in understanding its pathophysiology have led to the introduction of new therapeutic options. Recently, the OX40 receptor has been identified as a key factor in the development of AD. Recent studies have demonstrated that blocking the OX40 ligand with monoclonal antibodies significantly and sustainably improves the signs and symptoms of moderate to severe AD. Results. A comprehensive review of the available literature on anti-OX40 treatments in atopic dermatitis that evaluates their mechanism of action, their clinical efficacy, and the prospects of this promising therapeutic option for improving AD management is provided. Conclusions. Anti-OX40 and anti-OX40L blockers are a promising therapeutic alternative for the management of moderate-severe atopic dermatitis. Prospective analytical studies are needed to determine whether this new therapeutic target represents a qualitative advance in modifying the progression of the disease.

Dupilumab in a 9-week-old with Netherton Syndrome Leads to Deep Symptom Control

PurposeNetherton syndrome (NS) is a rare inborn error of immunity (IEI) with an incidence of approximately 1:200,000 and the phenotypic triad of trichorrhexis invaginate (bamboo hair), congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma, and multiple atopic manifestations. Treatment options especially in infants are scarce and generally not licensed.MethodsCase report of a 9-week-old infant with NS treated with dupilumab off-label.ResultsWe report rapid and sustained resolution of allergic inflammation, deep symptom control including normalization of the skin microbiome, and catch-up somatic and psychomotor development without adverse drug reactions.ConclusionDue to the high complication rate of NS, especially in the first years of life, we recommend treatment with dupilumab off-label immediately after the diagnosis has been established.