Skin bacterial community dynamics of hands and forearms before and after military field exercise DOI Creative Commons
Susanne Glenna, Einar Birkeland, Russell J. S. Orr

et al.

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 30, 2024

Abstract The human skin microbiome is crucial for health and immunity, especially in the context of extreme conditions faced by military personnel. Soldiers encounter unique stressors hygienic challenges that can impact microbial composition their during field exercises regular occupational settings. In this study, we aimed to investigate a exercise on diversity bacterial microbiota using 16S rRNA sequencing. We conducted longitudinal study NATO Cold Response 2022 , involving Norwegian soldiers ( n = 19) engaged outdoor training operations. Skin swabs were taken from soldiers’ hands forearms directly before after 10-day winter exercise, following 3-week post-exercise leave. Our results reveal hand forearm-specific shifts populations associated with likely influenced environmental exposure, reduced hygiene, heightened social contact. Alpha increased while remaining stable hands, which appeared more resilient perturbations. Both sites exhibited temporal changes composition, soil- water-associated bacteria enriched post-exercise; most being transient but sustained forearms. microbiomes became similar followed divergence leave period. Neither site returned original at follow-up, indicating may have lasting effects microbiome. findings highlight exposure communities suggest resilience stability differ between sites. Importance Optimizing soldier critical maintaining readiness operational effectiveness. skin, as body’s first line defense, subjected numerous environments. Unique hygiene disrupt increase susceptibility soft tissue infections. This research provides valuable insights into service dynamics microbiome, also inform management disease prevention comparable situations.

Language: Английский

Skin bacterial community dynamics of hands and forearms before and after military field exercise DOI Creative Commons
Susanne Glenna, Einar Birkeland, Russell J. S. Orr

et al.

Microbiology Spectrum, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 15, 2025

ABSTRACT The human skin microbiome is crucial for health and immunity, especially under the extreme conditions military personnel face. Soldiers often encounter unique stressors hygienic challenges that can alter their skin’s microbial composition, particularly in field environments. In this study, we aimed to investigate impact of exercises on diversity composition bacterial microbiota using 16S rRNA sequencing. We conducted a longitudinal study Norwegian soldiers ( n = 19) participating outdoor training operations during NATO winter exercise Cold Response 2022 . Skin swabs were taken from soldiers' hands forearms before after 10-day exercise, following 3-week post-exercise leave. Our results reveal hand- forearm-specific shifts populations associated with likely influenced by environmental exposure, reduced hygiene, heightened social contact. Alpha increased while remaining stable hands, which appeared more resilient perturbations. Both sites exhibited temporal changes soil- water-associated bacteria enriched post-exercise; most being transient but sustained forearms. soldiers’ microbiomes converged then diverged leave period, neither site returned baseline at follow-up. findings highlight collaborative activities communities suggest resilience stability differ between sites. IMPORTANCE Optimizing soldier critical maintaining readiness operational effectiveness. skin, as body’s first line defense, subjected numerous Unique hygiene disrupt increase susceptibility soft tissue infections. This research provides valuable insights into effects service dynamics also inform management disease prevention comparable situations.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Skin bacterial community dynamics of hands and forearms before and after military field exercise DOI Creative Commons
Susanne Glenna, Einar Birkeland, Russell J. S. Orr

et al.

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 30, 2024

Abstract The human skin microbiome is crucial for health and immunity, especially in the context of extreme conditions faced by military personnel. Soldiers encounter unique stressors hygienic challenges that can impact microbial composition their during field exercises regular occupational settings. In this study, we aimed to investigate a exercise on diversity bacterial microbiota using 16S rRNA sequencing. We conducted longitudinal study NATO Cold Response 2022 , involving Norwegian soldiers ( n = 19) engaged outdoor training operations. Skin swabs were taken from soldiers’ hands forearms directly before after 10-day winter exercise, following 3-week post-exercise leave. Our results reveal hand forearm-specific shifts populations associated with likely influenced environmental exposure, reduced hygiene, heightened social contact. Alpha increased while remaining stable hands, which appeared more resilient perturbations. Both sites exhibited temporal changes composition, soil- water-associated bacteria enriched post-exercise; most being transient but sustained forearms. microbiomes became similar followed divergence leave period. Neither site returned original at follow-up, indicating may have lasting effects microbiome. findings highlight exposure communities suggest resilience stability differ between sites. Importance Optimizing soldier critical maintaining readiness operational effectiveness. skin, as body’s first line defense, subjected numerous environments. Unique hygiene disrupt increase susceptibility soft tissue infections. This research provides valuable insights into service dynamics microbiome, also inform management disease prevention comparable situations.

Language: Английский

Citations

0