Shifts in human skin and nares microbiota of healthy children and adults.
BACKGROUND
Characterization of the topographical and temporal diversity of the microbial collective (microbiome) hosted by healthy human skin established a reference for studying disease-causing microbiomes. Physiologic changes occur in the skin as humans mature from infancy to adulthood. Thus, characterizations of adult microbiomes might have limitations when considering pediatric disorders such as atopic dermatitis (AD) or issues such as sites of microbial carriage. The objective of this study was to determine if microbial communities at several body sites in children differed significantly from adults.


METHODS
Using 16S-rRNA gene sequencing technology, we characterized and compared the bacterial communities of four body sites in relation to Tanner stage of human development. Body sites sampled included skin sites characteristically involved in AD (antecubital/popliteal fossae), a control skin site (volar forearm), and the nares. Twenty-eight healthy individuals aged from 2 to 40 years were evaluated at the outpatient dermatology clinic in the National Institutes of Health's Clinical Center. Exclusion criteria included the use of systemic antibiotics within 6 months, current/prior chronic skin disorders, asthma, allergic rhinitis, or other chronic medical conditions.


RESULTS
Bacterial communities in the nares of children (Tanner developmental stage 1) differed strikingly from adults (Tanner developmental stage 5). Firmicutes (Streptococcaceae), Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria (β, γ) were overrepresented in Tanner 1 compared to Tanner 5 individuals, where Corynebacteriaceae and Propionibacteriaceae predominated. While bacterial communities were significantly different between the two groups in all sites, the most marked microbial shifts were observed in the nares, a site that can harbor pathogenic species, including Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumonia.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant shifts in the microbiota associated with progressive sexual maturation as measured by Tanner staging suggest that puberty-dependent shifts in the skin and nares microbiomes may have significant implications regarding prevention and treatment of pediatric disorders involving microbial pathogens and colonization.
Genetics and Molecular Biology Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, 49 Convent Dr., Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
Julia
J
Oh
Genetics and Molecular Biology Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, 49 Convent Dr., Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
Sean
S
Conlan
Biometric Research Branch, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, NIH, 6130 Executive Blvd, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
Eric C
EC
Polley
Genetics and Molecular Biology Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, 49 Convent Dr., Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
Julia A
JA
Segre
Dermatology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, 10 Center Dr., Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
Heidi H
HH
Kong