Absolute Quantification of the Living Human Skin Microbiome

A study of the human skin microbiome that discriminates between dead and live cells and quantifies the absolute live bacterial cell density on the human skin surface. Sixty-six samples were collected from 11 healthy volunteers using sterile swabs across six body sites representing three skin types: sebaceous (forehead and upper back), moist (antecubital and popliteal creases), and dry (forearm and abdomen). Samples were processed in parallel to compare PMA treatment effects.