Comprehensive study of the scalp microbiome in patients with androgenetic alopecia using Multi-Kingdom analysis

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of hair loss, with a complex pathogenesis involving genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. Recent studies suggest that dysbiosis of the scalp microbiome is not only associated with scalp-related diseases but may also be a significant driver of AGA. In this study, we recruited 89 participants from Shandong Province, China, including healthy controls and individuals with varying degrees of AGA. Scalp samples were collected from the frontal balding region and occipital region of each participant. A total of 178 scalp samples were subjected to comprehensive microbiome profiling, including bacterial and fungal communities, using 16S rRNA and ITS1 sequencing.