Analysis of Skin Microbiota Alteration in Patients After Chemotherapy Treatment/Análise Da Alteração Da Microbiota Epidermal De Pacientes Após Tratamento Quimioterápico

Abstract

The human body is inhabited by millions of microorganisms , which play an auxiliary role in the digestion and absorption of nutrients, as well as in the immune protection of the host. The human skin contains an immense number of microorganisms , which vary with the local interferences and appear different according to the area where they inhabit. However, such microorganisms are in constant modification due to some disturbances. Knowing that chemotherapy is a very aggressive treatment for human cells and based on other related researches, the work in question is an evaluation of the changes caused by the epidermal microbiota in cancer patients after the chemotherapy treatment. The methods consisted in the collection of samples by sterile swab rubbed in the patients' skin pre-and postchemotherapy treatment, and in the analysis of the samples, which were sown in three culture media with different properties. Subsequently, the main bacteria that grew in the medium were isolated and identified by means of Gram staining and biochemical tests. Some qualitative changes were found at the species level; however, we detected the preservation of the microorganisms Staphylococcus epidermidis, the main colonizers of the skin and that present beneficial role for the host. Therefore, the results are positive when evaluated from a collaboration point of view to improve patients' quality of life. A more complete analysis of the microbiota is now required through molecular techniques, so that quantitative results can be verified.