The skin microbiome: potential for novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to cutaneous disease

Abstract

A vast diversity of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and arthropods, colonize the human skin. Culture-independent genomic approaches for identifying and characterizing microbial communities have provided glimpses into the topographical, temporal, and interpersonal complexity that defines the skin microbiome. Identification of changes associated with cutaneous disease, including acne, atopic dermatitis, rosacea, and psoriasis, are being established. In this review, our current knowledge of the skin microbiome in health and disease is discussed, with particular attention to potential opportunities to leverage the skin microbiome as a diagnostic, prognostic, and/or therapeutic tool.

Figure

Topographical distribution of cutaneous microbiota and associated microenvironments (dry, sebaceous, moist). Family level classification of bacterial taxa is shown and pie charts represent relative abundance. Figure reproduced with permission of Nature Publishing Group.