Exploring the skin mycobiome in intensive care patients: a pilot study on fungal diversity from axillary and groin swabs.

ABSTRACT: The skin mycobiome is a largely unexplored component of the human microbiome, especially in critically ill patients. Fungal colonisation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) may be influenced by underlying comorbidities and hospital-related risk factors, potentially impacting patient outcomes. This pilot study aimed to characterize the diversity and abundance of skin fungi in ICU patients during their first week of hospitalization. A total of 35 ICU patients were recruited and divided into two groups: Group 1 (patients with 1-2 comorbidities and ICU risk factors) and Group 2 (patients with more than 2 comorbidities and ICU risk factors). Bilateral axillary-groin swabs were collected on admission day (D1) and after one week of ICU stay (D8) for fungal identification. Culture-based methods and M

SUBMITTER: Nascimento T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12482598 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature