Characterization of Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium Clusters in the Human Axillary Region

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 8; no. 8; p. e70538
• Main Authors: Callewaert, Chris, Kerckhof, Frederiek-Maarten, Granitsiotis, Michael S., Van Gele, Mireille, Van de Wiele, Tom, Boon, Nico
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 12.08.2013; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Axilla - microbiology; Bacteria; Biodiversity; Biology; Cluster Analysis; Clusters; Communities; Corynebacterium; Corynebacterium - classification; Corynebacterium - genetics; Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis; Deodorants (Toiletries); Ecology; Female; Females; Firmicutes; Gel electrophoresis; Gene sequencing; Genomes; Human populations; Humans; Hypothesis testing; Laboratories; Male; Males; Medicine; Microbiota; Microbiota (Symbiotic organisms); Microorganisms; Multiculturalism & pluralism; Odor; Odors; Phylogeny; Potatoes; Proteobacteria; rRNA 16S; Skin; Skin - microbiology; Species diversity; Staphylococcus; Staphylococcus - classification; Staphylococcus - genetics; Staphylococcus epidermidis; Well being; Belgium
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0070538

The skin microbial community is regarded as essential for human health and well-being, but likewise plays an important role in the formation of body odor in, for instance, the axillae. Few molecular-based research was done on the axillary microbiome. This study typified the axillary microbiome of a group of 53 healthy subjects. A profound view was obtained of the interpersonal, intrapersonal and temporal diversity of the human axillary microbiota. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and next generation sequencing on 16S rRNA gene region were combined and used as extent to each other. Two important clusters were characterized, where Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium species were the abundant species. Females predominantly clustered within the Staphylococcus cluster (87%, n = 17), whereas males clustered more in the Corynebacterium cluster (39%, n = 36). The axillary microbiota was unique to each individual. Left-right asymmetry occurred in about half of the human population. For the first time, an elaborate study was performed on the dynamics of the axillary microbiome. A relatively stable axillary microbiome was noticed, although a few subjects evolved towards another stable community. The deodorant usage had a proportional linear influence on the species diversity of the axillary microbiome.