Owner identification using Cutibacterium acnes (Propionibacterium acnes) 16S rRNA genotype

C. acnes is the most common and abundant bacterial species in human skin and derive many 16S rRNA genotype. In this study, we developed an NGS-based C. acnes 16S rRNA genotyping method to investigate their genotype composition. We found that C. acnes 16S rRNA genotype composition is unique to the hands and possessions of each individual. Using the C. acnes 16S rRNA genotype composition we can predict the owner of a possession and the combination of C. acnes 16S rRNA genotype composition and microbiome profile further increase the accuracy to 93.3%. Besides, during a long period of time, C. acnes 16S rRNA genotype composition is more stable than skin microbiome profile and more suitable for owner identification.