Skin Microbiome alterations in heroin users revealed by full-length 16S rRNA sequencing.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Identifying key characteristics of unknown suspects, such as age, height, and drug use, is essential for advancing forensic investigations.

Methods

In this study, we employed full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing to analyze the bacterial communities of nasal skin (NaS), oral epithelial skin (OrE), and palm skin (PaS) in heroin users and healthy controls.

Results

Our results revealed a significant reduction in bacterial community diversity among heroin users compared to the control group. Notably, bacterial composition differences were more pronounced in OrE and PaS than in NaS, with genus-level variations being more significant than those at the phylum level. Differential bacterial taxa were identified across all three distinct skin sites, with the most rema

SUBMITTER: Tao R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12309105 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature