A diversity profile of the human skin microbiota

The many layers and structures of the skin serve as elaborate hosts to microbes, including a diversity of commensal and pathogenic bacteria that contribute to both human health and disease. To determine the complexity and identity of the microbes inhabiting the skin, we sequenced bacterial 16S small-subunit ribosomal RNA genes isolated from the inner elbow of five healthy human subjects. This analysis revealed 113 operational taxonomic units (OTUs; "phylotypes") at the level of 97% similarity that belong to six bacterial divisions. To survey all depths of the skin, we sampled using three methods: swab, scrape, and punch biopsy. Proteobacteria dominated the skin microbiota at all depths of sampling.…

• JH
  Johns Hopkins University
• S
  Strong
• NI
  National Institutes of Health
• NH
  National Human Genome Research Institute
• NC
  National Cancer Institute
• NI
  National Institute of General Medical Sciences