The researchers isolated virus-like particles from skin swabs of 16 healthy people. The mBio journal published the study.
Here are six takeaways:
1. The study found many DNA viruses on the skin are viral “dark matter,” that have not been defined.
2. Microbes are important to understand, as they play roles in health and sickness. Skin bacteria can protect against infections, but can also cause them.
3. Many of the DNA from virus-like particles the researchers found could not be identified in databases.
4. The study connected the skin virome to the skin microbiome. Much of normal skin-resident viruses are in skin bacteria, but these viruses can negatively impact health through the microbiome.
5. The researchers found the skin virome changes based on its location on the body.
6. The study provides a baseline for more research on how the healthy skin virome transforms during infection. The researchers created virome analysis tools for future use.
More articles on quality & infection control:
Study: Diabetics more likely to develop postsurgical SSIs — 4 insights
APIC elects Linda Green president-elect, names 7 new leaders
5 things to know about antibiotic resistance & eye pathogens
