Balanoposthitis is a common inflammatory condition of male genitalia, while the overall microbiota spectrum and its relevance to contributing factors have yet to be determined. This case-control study included patients with balanoposthitis (
n
= 26) and matched healthy controls (
n
= 29), both uncircumcised. Overt fungal infection in balanoposthitis was excluded, swab samples were collected, 16S rRNA gene sequenced and analysed. The profile of the microbiome was further analysed in relation to the clinical severity of the disease and the physical barrier status of the glans penis, including mucosa pH, transepidermal water loss, and mucosa hydration. In general, the microbiota composition was similar between patients with balanoposthitis and healthy controls, while it was different between patients with balanoposthitis and healthy controls with redundant prepuce. Decreased hydration of the mucosa and increased pH were found in patients with balanoposthitis.
Staphylococcus warneri
and
Prevotella bivia
are the 2 most abundant balanoposthitis-associated species and are positively correlated with disease severity.
Background: Balanoposthitis is a common inflammatory condition of male genitalia, the microbiota spectrum have not been determined thus far. To profile the microbiome in patients with balanoposthitis (BP), and healthy controls (HC), and investigate its correlation with redundant prepuce, severity of inflammation, and disrupted skin barrier function, including skin pH, Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL), and skin hydration.Results: In general, the microbiota between BP and HC were similar. The microbiota composition was different between BP and HC with redundant prepuce. Staphylococcus warneri and Prevotella bivia are two most abundant BP-associated Species, and positively correlated with disease severity. The physio-barrier function is markedly impaired in BP, shown by decreased skin hydration, while increased TEWL and pH.Conclusions: Staphylococcus warneri and Prevotella bivia showed a strong correlation with balanoposthitis and may be pathogenic for the condition.
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