Skin flora: Differences between people affected by Albinism and those with normally pigmented skin in Northern Tanzania – cross sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundSkin flora varies from one site of the body to another. Individual’s health, age and gender determine the type and the density of skin flora.MethodsA 1 cm2 of the skin on the sternum was rubbed with sterile cotton swab socked in 0.9% normal saline and plated on blood agar. This was cultured at 35°C. The bacteria were identified by culturing on MacConkey agar, coagulase test, catalase test and gram staining. Swabs were obtained from 66 individuals affected by albinism and 31 individuals with normal skin pigmentation. Those with normal skin were either relatives or staying with the individuals affected by albinism who were recruited for the study.ResultsThe mean age of the 97 recruited individuals was 30.6 (SD ± 14.9) years. The mean of the colony forming units was 1580.5 per cm2. Those affected by albinism had a significantly higher mean colony forming units (1680 CFU per cm2) as compared with 453.5 CFU per cm2 in those with normally pigmented skin (p = 0.023). The skin type and the severity of sun- damaged skin was significantly associated with a higher number of colony forming units (p = 0.038).ConclusionIndividuals affected by albinism have a higher number of colony forming units which is associated with sun- damaged skin.

The spectrum of genodermatoses and congenital cutaneous conditions in northern Ethiopia

“…Surprisingly, in Tigray we did not observe any patient affected by albinism, which is well described in other countries. [56][57][58] This should encourage to further investigate genodermatoses distribution and prevalence in the region, which could be different from other areas. This is to our knowledge the first report of genetic and congenital dermatoses from northern Ethiopia.…”

Effect of narrow-band ultraviolet B on the expression of human β-defensin 2 in psoriatic patients, using immunohistochemistry

“…Interpersonal variation depends on intrinsic factors such as the individual's state of health, age, and sex and on extrinsic factors such as clothing, hygiene, humidity, and occupation (Kiprono et al, 2012). Bacterial colonization depends on the physiology of the region sampled with humidity and sebaceous environment influencing the type of bacteria.…”

Axillary Microbiota Compositions from Men and Women in a Tertiary Institution-South East Nigeria: Effects of Deodorants/Antiperspirants on Bacterial Communities

“…This is due to the fact that culture methods utilize artificial media that can support the growth of these bacteria leading to underestimation of other microbes present on the body site (Kong and Segre, 2012). One culture-dependent study that was conducted in people affected by Albinism and those with normal pigmented skin in Northern Tanzania showed that Staphylococcus was the commonest microorganism isolated in over 90% of the samples (Kiprono et al, 2012). In the last decade, the use of next-generation sequencing approach has revealed an avalanche of microbial communities that inhabit the axillary region showing the predominance of Staphylococci, Corynebacteria, Anaerococcu s and Peptoniphilus (Egert et al, 2011; Callewaert et al, 2013; Troccaz et al, 2015).…”