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Spatial variations in the microbial community structure and diversity of the human foot is associated with the production of odorous volatiles

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Sara Johansson Fernstad

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Abstract

The human foot provides an ideal environment for the colonization and growth of bacteria and subsequently is a body site associated with the liberation of odour. This study aimed to enumerate and spatially map bacterial populations' resident across the foot to understand any association with odour production. Culture-based analysis confirmed that Staphylococci were present in higher numbers than aerobic corynebacteria and Gram-positive aerobic cocci, with all species being present at much higher levels on the plantar sites compared to dorsal sites. Microbiomic analysis supported these findings demonstrating that Staphylococcus spp. were dominant across different foot sites and comprised almost the entire bacterial population on the plantar surface. The levels of volatile fatty acids, including the key foot odour compound isovaleric acid, that contribute to foot odour were significantly increased at the plantar skin site compared to the dorsal surface. The fact that isovaleric acid was not detected on the dorsal surface but was present on the plantar surface is probably attributable to the high numbers of Staphylococcus spp. residing at this site. Variations in the spatial distribution of these microbes appear to be responsible for the localized production of odour across the foot.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Stevens D, Cornmell R, Taylor D, Grimshaw SG, Riazanskaia S, Arnold DS, Fernstad SJ, Smith AM, Heaney LM, Reynolds JC, Thomas CLP, Harker M

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: FEMS Microbiology Ecology

Year: 2015

Volume: 91

Issue: 1

Pages: 1-11

Print publication date: 01/01/2015

Online publication date: 08/12/2014

Acceptance date: 24/11/2014

ISSN (print): 0168-6496

ISSN (electronic): 1574-6941

Publisher: Oxford University Press

URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fiu018

DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiu018

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