Propionibacterium acnes strain populations in the human skin microbiome associated with acne.

ABSTRACT: The human skin microbiome has important roles in skin health and disease. However, bacterial population structure and diversity at the strain level is poorly understood. We compared the skin microbiome at the strain level and genome level of Propionibacterium acnes, a dominant skin commensal, between 49 acne patients and 52 healthy individuals by sampling the pilosebaceous units on their noses. Metagenomic analysis demonstrated that although the relative abundances of P. acnes were similar, the strain population structures were significantly different in the two cohorts. Certain strains were highly associated with acne, and other strains were enriched in healthy skin. By sequencing 66 previously unreported P. acnes strains and comparing 71 P. acnes genomes, we identified potential genetic

SUBMITTER: Fitz-Gibbon S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3745799 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature