Distinct Intraspecies Variation of Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis in Acne Vulgaris and Healthy Skin

Abstract

Human skin hosts a diverse array of microorganisms that contribute to its health. Key players in the facial skin microbiome include <i>Cutibacterium acnes</i> and staphylococci, whose colonization patterns may influence dermatological conditions like acne vulgaris. This study examined the facial microbiome composition of 29 individuals, including 14 with moderate to severe acne and 15 with healthy skin, using single locus sequence typing (SLST) amplicon sequencing. The results showed a shift in the relative abundances of <i>C. acnes</i> phylotypes: SLST types A, C, and F were increased in acne, while types H, K, and L were reduced compared to healthy skin. Among staphylococci, the relative abundance of <i>S. epidermidis</i>, <i>S. capitis</i>, and <i>S. saphrophyticus</i> increased in acne, while <i>S. saccharolyticus</i> and <i>S. hominis</i> decreased. The amplicon sequencing approach could also identify a population shift of <i>S. epidermidis</i>: a specific <i>S. epidermidis</i> phylogenetic lineage (type 3) was reduced in acne, while two abundant lineages (types 1 and 2) were elevated. These findings suggest that distinct phylogenetic lineages of both <i>C. acnes</i> and <i>S. epidermidis</i> are linked to healthy versus diseased skin, highlighting a potential role for both microorganisms in disease prevention and aggravation, respectively.