This article discussed the rewards of hosting a microbial ecosystem on the skin while also acknowledging the potential risks of disorders and diseases that might occur as a result of disrupting this ecosystem.
The skin microbiota is a complex ecosystem composed of diverse microorganisms that reside on the skin's surface. In order to ensure their survival, resident microorganisms compete to maintain the colonization of their niche and access to nutrients. Just like any ecosystem, continuous competitive interactions occur among these microorganisms.
Modifying one component of this dynamic community can have cascading effects on other microbial interactions.
The authors emphasize the significance of Staphylococcus epidermidis as a notable illustration of the complex relationship between the microbiota and the host. This microorganism serves as a compelling example, capable of both stimulating and suppressing inflammation depending on the surrounding circumstances
Reference: Flowers L, Grice EA. The Skin Microbiota: Balancing Risk and Reward. Cell Host Microbe. 2020
Full article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32791112/
About the author
Dr. Aline Santana is a Brazilian veterinarian with over 12 years of experience in both research and private dermatology practice. In 2021, she completed her PhD in veterinary dermatology at the University of São Paulo (Brazil), with a sandwich period at the University of Minnesota, where she conducted research on the skin microbiome of cats. Since 2012, she has been an active member of the Brazilian Society of Veterinary Dermatology (SBDV). From 2015 to 2021, Dr. Santana served as the director of social media marketing, contributing to the organization's outreach and communication efforts.
