Search Results (1,069)

Scutellaria baicalensis is an important medicinal plant, and the diversity of its rhizosphere microbiota may influence its growth, development, and yield. Numerous studies have reported that warming associated with global climate change significantly altered plant-associated soil microbial diversity. To reveal the effects of night-time warming on the rhizosphere microbial community of S. baicalensis, soil microbial diversity in the rhizosphere (RS) and bulk soil (BS) of S. baicalensis were analyzed by employing bacterial 16S rRNA and fungal ITS sequencing technology. Warming significantly altered both bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere and bulk soils of S. baicalensis, with pronounced changes in OTU composition, relative abundances at both phylum and species levels. The analysis of alpha and beta diversity showed that warming significantly altered the fungal community structure in the rhizosphere soil (R² = 0.423, p < 0.05) and significantly reduced the species richness in the bulk soil of S. baicalensis (Shannon and Simpson index, p < 0.05). LEfSe and functional prediction analyses revealed that warming altered the taxonomic composition of both bacterial (35 taxa, LDA > 3) and fungal (24 taxa, LDA > 4) communities in rhizosphere and bulk soils of S. baicalensis, with multiple bacterial and fungal taxa serving as treatment-specific biomarkers. Functional predictions indicated that fungal functional groups, including saprotrophic and mycorrhizal guilds, were more strongly affected by warming than bacteria. Overall, warming has a significantly stronger impact on fungal communities in the rhizosphere and bulk soils of S. baicalensis than on bacteria, and has a significantly greater effect on the diversity of microbial communities in bulk soils than that in rhizosphere soils. This study provides important data for understanding the impact of global climate change on the rhizosphere microbial communities of cultivated plants. Full article

Seed endophytic microbiota are crucial for plant early development and stress resistance. Pinus massoniana is a key ecological and economic tree species in China, yet it is severely threatened by pine wilt disease (PWD). However, the community composition of P. massoniana seed endophytic microbiota and the persistent symbiosis formed via vertical transmission in seeds remain unclear. We analyzed the endophytic bacterial and fungal microbiota of P. massoniana seeds from four geographic regions using high-throughput 16S rRNA and ITS sequencing to characterize community structure, diversity, and functional potential, providing a basis for endophytic microbiota-based strategies to enhance resistance to PWD. Results showed that both alpha and beta diversity analyses indicated that seed endophytic microbial communities of P. massoniana differed among regions. Bacterial communities were dominated by Pseudomonadota (phylum), Gammaproteobacteria (class), and the genera Klebsiella, norank_f_Pectobacteriaceae, and Lactobacillus. Fungal communities were primarily composed of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota (phylum), Sordariomycetes (class), and the genera Rosellinia, Aspergillus, and Coniophora. Correlation network analysis revealed that fungal networks were characterized by a higher proportion of positive correlations, whereas bacterial networks were more complex. Notably, several genera detected in seeds, including Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Trichoderma, have also been reported in mature P. massoniana tissues, indicating a potential for putative vertical transmission from mother plants. Functional prediction further suggested that these taxa were enriched in pathways related to terpenoid and polyketide metabolism and saprotrophic functions, which have been implicated in PWD resistance and have been previously reported to exert nematode-suppressive or plant growth-promoting effects. Overall, this study elucidates the community structure and ecological characteristics of seed endophytic microbiota in P. massoniana and identifies potentially beneficial microbial taxa, providing potential support for the future utilization of P. massoniana endophytic microbiota in PWD research. Full article

Raccoon dog fur is a commercially valuable animal product. As the scale of raccoon dog breeding continues to expand, ensuring the health of these animals has become an urgent priority. The gut microbiota plays a central role in regulating animal health; however, current research on the composition of raccoon dog gut microbiota remains limited. This study aimed to characterize changes in the gut microbiota of suckling raccoon dogs across different stages, providing a foundation for future scientific feeding practices. Fecal samples of eight lactating raccoon dogs were collected and tested for microbiota on days 14, 21, and 45. Our results showed that the richness and diversity of microbiota increased with age in suckling raccoon dogs, peaking on the 45th day. Significant separation between groups was observed in both PCoA and NMDS analyses. UPGMA analysis indicated temporal fluctuations in gut microbiota composition. At the phylum level, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the dominant taxa across all stages. LEfSe analysis at the genus level showed that Bacteroides was the most enriched taxon on the 14th day, Fusobacterium on the 21st day, and Prevotella_9 on the 45th day. Tax4Fun and PICRUSt analyses identified metabolism and genetic information processing as the primary functional roles of the gut microbiota. Further investigation suggested that the microbiota may benefit raccoon dogs through membrane transport, carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and energy metabolism. These findings establish a theoretical basis for improving the survival rate of suckling raccoon dogs and developing scientifically informed feeding and management protocols. Full article

Background: The scalp represents a distinct ecological niche within the skin, and the structure of its microbiota, together with the factors shaping it, is considered important for the maintenance of scalp health. Methods: This study systematically analyzed the bacterial and fungal community structures on the scalps of 63 healthy Chinese women aged 18–25, and examined their associations with scalp type, sensitivity, and lifestyle factors. Scalp samples were collected, questionnaire surveys were administered, scalp physiological parameters were measured, and high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA and ITS genes was performed. Results: The results showed that, in this unique scalp skin niche, the dominant bacterial phylum was Actinobacteria, while the dominant fungal phylum was Ascomycota. The predominant bacterial genera were Cutibacterium and Staphylococcus, and the fungal community was dominated by Malassezia. When scalp types were categorized according to sebum content, dry scalps showed enrichment of Micrococcus, Streptococcus, Delftia, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus hominis, whereas oily scalps, on the other hand, are primarily colonized by Cutibacterium and Staphylococcus species. In addition, we observed microbial interactions under different physiological conditions. The relative abundance of Cutibacterium decreased with increasing scalp sensitivity. Higher psychological stress, insufficient sleep, and high-sugar/high-fat dietary patterns tended to coincide with shifts in the relative abundance of Malassezia, implying that these influences may act through fungal rather than bacterial components of the scalp microbiota. Scalp sensitivity showed the strongest association with β-diversity among the variables examined, although the effect size was modest and did not reach conventional significance in the multivariable PERMANOVA. Conclusions: In young women, the scalp constitutes a distinct cutaneous niche whose microbiota is jointly shaped by sebum level, barrier sensitivity, and lifestyle factors, with sensitivity emerging as one of the more influential dimensions of community variation. These findings provide guidance for future in-depth research on the scalp microbiome network and offer a foundational reference for preventing suboptimal and pathological scalp conditions. Full article

Lipodystrophies are rare syndromes characterized by partial or complete loss of subcutaneous adipose tissue leading to ectopic lipid deposition, insulin resistance, and the same metabolic derangements observed in obesity. Given the role of gut microbiota in metabolic disorders, we investigated whether its signature in obesity may be mirrored by that found in lipodystrophies, possibly contributing to their overlapping metabolic abnormalities. In this cross-sectional study, we included 8 individuals with lipodystrophy (LD), 16 individuals with obesity (Ob)—further categorized into 8 metabolically healthy (MHO) and 8 metabolically unhealthy (MUHO)—and 16 normal-weight controls (N). We assessed clinical and metabolic characteristics and performed 16S rRNA sequencing and bioinformatic analyses on fecal samples to characterize the gut microbiome. LD presented significantly lower body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference than Ob, but, from a metabolic perspective, LD showed similarity with MUHO and presented significantly lower levels of HDL-C and higher triglycerides compared to both N and MHO. Gut microbiota analysis revealed reduced α-diversity in LD, MHO and MUHO compared to N, whilst β-diversity and Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio differences were not significant. At the phylum level, differential abundance analysis revealed that LD individuals exhibit similar microbial characteristics to MUHO and higher Verrucomicrobiota levels compared to MHO. The shared gut microbiota signature suggests another potential unexplored link between the pathogenesis of metabolic complications in lipodystrophies and obesity, providing novel insights into the complex interplay between dysbiosis and adiposopathy. Larger longitudinal studies are needed to explore the role of specific taxa and for a more precise characterization of different lipodystrophy subtypes. Full article

Biochar and beneficial microorganisms (BM) is considered promising soil amendment for saline-alkali amelioration and soil carbon storage.However, the effects of biochar combined with BM addition soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation and microbial characteristics are less known in coastal saline-alkali soil. Herein, we investigated the SOC content and fractions, soil carbon enzyme activities, and microbial community composition in coastal saline-alkali soil, following three levels of biochar and BM addition. Compared to the control treatment, biochar and BM application effectively reduced soil salinity by 37.58–66.53% and increased soil NH₄⁺ by 9.49–121.16% and NO₃⁻ by 43.56–254.28%, respectively. Biochar integrated with BM addition significantly increased the content of SOC, soil mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC), soil particulate organic carbon (POC), and carbon pool management index (CPMI) by 37.76–108.02%, 15.43–140.44%, 13.73–64.55%, and 81.11–154.61%, respectively, compared with CK treatment. Additionally, biochar and BM significantly enhanced the activities of soil carbon cycle enzymes, including α-1,4-glucosidase (14.54–124.45%), β-1,4-glucosidase (12.71–133.98%), and cellulose hydrolase (6.07–19.17%). Biochar and BM addition also improved the bacterial diversity and altered the microbial composition at the phylum level. The co-addition of biochar and BM improved SOC by decreasing soil salinity and, enhancing soil nutrient availability, soil carbon cycle enzymes, and microbial activity. Furthermore, the combination of 4% biochar and BM exhibited the highest MAOC/POC ratio, demonstrating the most significant impacts on enhancing SOC stability in coastal saline-alkali soil. This study highlighted that the combined use of biochar and BM could serve as a promising approach to fortify soil carbon pool content and stability in saline-alkali land. Full article

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) involves progressive neurodegeneration with clinical or subclinical disturbance of the gut–brain axis, including altered gastrointestinal motility and enteric nervous system involvement. Clinical studies have reported gut microbiome alterations in PD, with shifts in taxa associated with inflammatory signalling and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolism. Photobiomodulation (PBM), a non-invasive light therapy, has been investigated as a potential adjunctive treatment for PD, with proposed effects on neural, metabolic, and immune pathways. We previously reported the five-year clinical outcomes in a PBM-treated Parkinson’s disease case series. Here we report the five-year gut microbiome outcomes based on longitudinal samples collected from the same participants. This was an exploratory, open-label longitudinal study without a control group. Objective: Our objective was to assess whether long-term PBM was associated with changes in gut microbiome diversity and composition in the same Parkinson’s disease cohort as previously assessed for changes in Parkinson’s symptoms. Methods: Six participants from the earlier PBM proof-of-concept study who had been diagnosed with idiopathic PD and who had continued treatment (transcranial light emitting diode [LED] plus abdominal and neck laser) for five years had their faecal samples analysed by 16S rDNA sequencing to assess microbiome diversity and taxonomic composition. Results: Microbiome analysis revealed significantly reduced evenness (α-diversity) and significant shifts in β-diversity over five years, as assessed by Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance (PERMANOVA). At the phylum level, Pseudomonadota and Methanobacteriota decreased in four of the six participants. Both of these phyla are often increased in the Parkinson’s microbiome compared with the microbiomes of healthy controls. Family-level changes included increased acetate-producing Bifidobacteriaceae (five of the six participants); decreased pro-inflammatory, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-producing Enterobacteriaceae (two of the three participants who have this bacterial family present); and decreased LPS- and H₂S-producing Desulfovibrionaceae (five of six). At the genus level, Faecalibacterium, a key butyrate producer, increased in four of the six participants, potentially leading to more SCFA availability, although other SCFA-producing bacteria were decreased. This was accompanied by reductions in pro-inflammatory LPS and H₂S-producing genera that are often increased in the Parkinson’s microbiome. Conclusions: This five-year case series represents the longest follow-up of microbiome changes in Parkinson’s disease, although the interpretation of results is limited by very small numbers, the lack of a control group, and the inability to control for lifestyle influences such as dietary changes. While causal relationships cannot be inferred, the parallel changes in improvements in mobility and non-motor Parkinson’s symptoms observed in this cohort, raises the hypothesis that PBM may interact with the gut–brain axis via the microbiome. Controlled studies incorporating functional multi-omics are needed to clarify potential mechanistic links between microbial function, host metabolism, and clinical outcomes. Full article

Microorganisms, as the foundation of deep-sea ecosystems, are crucial for maintaining the structure and stability of polymetallic nodule field environments. To investigate the community structure and distributional patterns of benthic microorganisms in such environments, this study used high-throughput sequencing to analyze the composition, diversity, and environmental correlations of bacteria, archaea, and fungi in the BPC (Beijing Pioneer Hi-tech Development Corporation Ltd., Beijing, China). Furthermore, microbial communities from BPC were compared with those from UK-1 (UK Seabed Resources, Southampton, UK) in terms of community structure and co-occurrence network characteristics. The results revealed that in the BPC, the bacterial communities were dominated by Proteobacteria and Chloroflexi, while Crenarchaeota represented the overwhelmingly dominant group. Fungal communities were primarily composed of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Correlation Analysis suggested that water depth, TOC (Total organic carbon), TN (Total nitrogen), and δ¹⁵N emerged as the key environmental drivers of microbial community variation. Comparative analysis showed microbial groups exhibited certain similarities but also some differences at the phylum, class, and order levels, with the differences becoming increasingly pronounced at finer taxonomic resolutions between BPC and UK-1. Co-occurrence network analyses indicated the microbial networks with higher density and node connectivity in the BPC, whereas the UK-1 exhibited greater modularity and clustering coefficients. Microbial interactions were weaker in the UK-1, but its resilience to benthic disturbance was expected to be higher than in the BPC. Full article

This study investigates the bacterial community structure and diversity across different root compartments (non-rhizosphere soil, rhizosphere soil, rhizosphere, and endosphere) of Camellia oleifera and their associations with three cultivars (‘Huashuo’, ‘Huajin’, ‘Huaxin’). High-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analyses were performed to characterize the bacterial communities. A total of 22 phyla, 59 classes, 155 orders, 268 families, 523 genera, 929 species, and 2045 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified. Alpha diversity indices (Shannon, Simpson, Chao1) showed no statistically significant differences among the three cultivars, but varied significantly across root compartments. The rhizosphere exhibited the highest bacterial diversity and richness, which was significantly higher than that in the endosphere. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Actinobacteriota, Acidobacteriota, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes dominated the communities. Significant differences were observed in the relative abundance of dominant genera (e.g., Proteus, actinomycetes) among varieties and root compartments. PCoA analysis revealed that ‘Huaxin’ had a distinct bacterial community structure compared to ‘Huashuo’ and ‘Huajin’, while the endosphere was separated from other compartments. Interaction network analysis indicated that most bacterial interactions were positive, with Colidextribacter, Uliginosibacterium, and Aliidongia showing the highest centrality, suggesting their key roles in maintaining community stability. This study provides novel insights into the distribution patterns and driving factors of root-associated bacteria in C. oleifera, laying a theoretical foundation for future research on disease control and quality improvement of this crop. Full article

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has a high mortality rate worldwide. Oral and intestinal microbiota members may have an effect on gastrointestinal tumors’ pathogenesis, particularly in CRC. Designed as a pilot study, this study’s aim was to investigate the relationship between CRC and oral microbiota and to identify potential biomarkers for CRC diagnosis. Saliva samples were collected from recently diagnosed CRC patients (n = 14) and healthy controls (n = 14) between March 2023 and December 2023. Microbiota (16S rRNA) analyses were conducted on these saliva samples using a next-generation sequencing method. Phylogenetic analyses, including alpha diversity, principal component analysis (PCA), principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), beta diversity, biomarker, and phenotype analyses, were conducted using the Qiime2 (Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology) platform. Alpha diversity indices (Shannon: p = 0.78, Cho1: p = 0.28, Simpson: p = 0.81) showed no significant difference between CRC and control groups. Beta diversity analysis using Bray–Curtis PCoA indicated significant differences in the microbial community between the two groups (p = 0.003). Examination of OTU distributions revealed that the Mycoplasmatota phylum was undetectable in the oral microbiota of healthy controls but was significantly elevated in CRC patients (CRC: 0.13 ± 0.30, Control: 0.00 ± 0.00, p < 0.05). Additionally, Metamycoplasma salivarium, Bacteroides intestinalis, and Pseudoprevotella muciniphila were undetectable in healthy controls but significantly more prevalent in CRC patients (p < 0.05 for all three species). LEfSe analysis identified eight species with an LDA score > 2, Granulicatella adiacens, Streptococcus thermophilus, Streptococcus gwangjuense, Capnocytophaga sp. FDAARGOS_737, Capnocytophaga gingivalis, Granulicatella elegans, Bacteroides intestinalis, and Pseudoprevotella muciniphila, as potential biomarkers. The results of this study contribute critical evidence of the role of oral microbiota in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. Alterations in the microbiota suggest potential biomarkers in understanding the biological mechanisms underlying CRC and developing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Full article

The limited cultivability of Actinomycetota strains restricts the exploration of their novel antibiotics, highlighting the need for improved isolation techniques. This study employed a helper strain-assisted cultivation method which utilizes culture supernatants from helper strains to isolate diverse members of the Actinomycetota from millipedes and compared its efficacy with a standard method. Using a preliminary dual-layer solid media assay and subsequent confirmation experiments, eight helper strains (M3, M9, M13, N3, N4, N6, N8, and N9) were identified, whose supernatants promoted the growth of Actinomycetota and other microbes. Application of this method to millipede samples established a novel cultivation strategy based on co-cultivation with helper strains. The new method enabled the isolation of 233 bacterial species in total, of which 143 were species of the phylum Actinomycetota, including 49 novel species. In contrast, the standard method yielded only 42 total bacterial species and 29 species of Actinomycetota, with merely 8 novel species. Comparative diversity analysis revealed that the helper strain-assisted method yielded Actinomycetota strains from 85 genera, which was 3.5 times higher than the standard method. This demonstrates that the helper strain-assisted approach is a highly effective strategy for accessing diverse and novel microbial majority. Among the isolated Actinomycetota strains, 75 strains predicted to have high biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) numbers or expected to be novel species were screened for antibacterial activity. Fourteen strains (17%) exhibited inhibitory effects against at least one indicator bacterium. One novel strain, Streptomyces sp. N8-31, was selected for whole-genome sequencing. AntiSMASH analysis predicted 40 biosynthetic gene clusters in N8-31, with 60% showing less than 70% similarity to known clusters; among these, 20 clusters showed less than 50% similarity. These findings indicate that strain N8-31 is a rich reservoir of novel genetic resources, and its broad-spectrum antibacterial activity is likely linked to these unique secondary metabolite gene clusters. Critically, this study confirms that helper strain-assisted cultivation is a powerful tool for unlocking the hidden biosynthetic potential of previously inaccessible Actinomycetota. Full article

This study investigated the effects of varying levels and combinations of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) supplementation on the diversity, composition, and species differentiation of the rhizosphere soil bacterial community in rainfed maize, aiming to reveal their regulatory mechanisms on the rhizosphere micro-ecosystem. A field micro-plot experiment was conducted with seven treatments: low Ca (U), high Ca (V), low Mg (W), high Mg (X), low Ca and low Mg (Y), high Ca and high Mg (Z), and a control (K, no supplementation). The bacterial communities were analyzed using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, and the data were processed using the QIIME2 pipeline, as well as multivariate statistical analyses, and LEfSe. The main results demonstrated that Ca and Mg supplementation significantly altered the rhizosphere bacterial community structure (beta-diversity). Analysis of Similarities (ANOSIM) indicated significant differences between treatments (R > 0.4, p < 0.01). LEfSe analysis successfully identified key biomarkers responsive to different treatments. For instance, high Ca treatment significantly enriched the genus Clostridium within the phylum Firmicutes, whereas high Mg treatment specifically enriched the genus Lysobacter. Furthermore, Ca-Mg interactions exhibited non-additive effects, and the coupled Ca-Mg supplementation treatments (Y, Z) formed unique species assemblages. As key environmental drivers, Ca and Mg supplementation specifically reshaped the rhizosphere bacterial community through “environmental filtering” in rainfed maize. This study provides a theoretical basis for understanding the microbiological pathways through which secondary element fertilizers influence soil health, offering practical implications for precisely managing rhizosphere micro-ecology through Ca and Mg supplementation to promote the sustainable development of dryland farming. Full article

To explore the optimal mixing ratio and fermentation mechanism of sorghum-sudangrass and sesbania mixed silage, this study prepared silages at ratios of 10:0, 9:1, 8:2, 7:3, and 6:4 and analyzed their chemical composition, fermentation quality, and microbial characteristics on days 3, 30, and 60 of fermentation. The results showed that dry matter (DM) content gradually decreased with prolonged fermentation, with the 7:3 and 6:4 groups maintaining relatively higher mean DM content. The 6:4 and 7:3 groups have more crude protein (CP) content at D60. Water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) decreased gradually during fermentation. In terms of fermentation quality, pH values decreased progressively and eventually stabilized. Lactic acid (LA) content accumulated over time, with the 10:0 group displaying higher NH₃-N/TN content. Butyric acid was not detected in any treatment. Microbiologically, the counts of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeasts gradually decreased with fermentation time, while Escherichia coli and mold were effectively suppressed. Bacterial diversity declined during fermentation, with Firmicutes being the dominant phylum. Weissella predominated in the early stage, while Pediococcus became dominant later. In conclusion, sorghum-sudangrass and sesbania mixed silage promote nutrient preservation and fermentation stability. Full article

Background/Objectives: The pharyngeal microbiota plays a critical role in respiratory health by supporting immune modulation, colonization resistance, and metabolic functions. Disruptions in this microbial ecosystem are associated with respiratory diseases; however, standard diagnostics often target individual pathogens, overlooking overall microbial dynamics. This study investigates the composition and diversity of the pharyngeal microbiota in three populations: individuals with pre-COPD (with and without concurrent acute respiratory infection [ARI]) and those with stable COPD. Methods: Pharyngeal swabs were analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Taxonomic and functional profiles were generated with MicrobAT^®, while microbial diversity was evaluated using the Shannon index and PERMANOVA. Group differences in microbiota composition were assessed via Kruskal–Wallis tests and robust PCA. The sample size was estimated at 8 subjects per group to detect significant differences (α = 0.05, 80% power, SD ≈ 20). Results: Twenty-nine swabs were collected: 11 from pre-COPD subjects (PC), 9 from ARI patients receiving antibiotics, and 9 from individuals with stable severe COPD. Microbial diversity was preserved in the PC group (100%) but markedly reduced in ARI (25%) and COPD (15%). Microbiota composition differed significantly across groups (R² = 0.371, p = 0.001), particularly at the phylum level. Functional analysis revealed minimal deficits in PC (<10%) but major impairments in ARI (81%) and COPD (56%), indicating reduced microbial functional capacity. Conclusions: Broad-spectrum microbial analysis highlights the importance of assessing pharyngeal microbiota beyond traditional pathogen detection, offering potential for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Full article

Acne vulgaris (AV) is a common dermatological disorder in adolescents, encompassing both non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesions, with growing evidence implicating the skin microbiome in its pathogenesis. This study analyzed skin lesion samples from 12 adolescents with AV using 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing, with 12 healthy skin microbiome datasets as references. A total of 4.7 million high-quality reads were obtained, yielding 765,211 clean reads clustered into 1013 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Microbial communities in lesions differed markedly from those in healthy skin. At the phylum level, lesions showed higher proportions of Bacteroidota and Bacillota, whereas healthy skin was dominated by Actinobacteria. At the genus level, lesions were modestly but significantly higher in Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, and Peptoniphilus, while Cutibacterium was more abundant in healthy skin. Alpha diversity analysis revealed greater species richness and phylogenetic diversity in healthy skin, but higher evenness in lesions. Beta diversity confirmed significant differences in community structure. Functional prediction identified 391 metabolic pathways, 163 of which differed significantly; only three were enriched in lesions, while 160 were more abundant in healthy skin. Lipase activity was elevated in lesions, whereas hyaluronate lyase activity was higher in healthy skin. These findings indicate that healthy skin supports a richer and more functionally diverse microbial metabolism, whereas acne lesions are associated with reduced metabolic capabilities. Overall, the acne lesion microbiome exhibits reduced diversity, altered bacterial composition, and distinct functional traits compared to healthy skin, underscoring the role of microbial imbalance in acne and suggesting potential microbial targets for treatment. Full article