Target intelligence / Profile preview

Skin bacterium

Molecular classification: Other (community of different bacterial species—includes representatives of Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes)

Overview

"Skin bacteria" refers to a broad and diverse community of bacterial species that are part of the human skin microbiome. The main bacterial phyla are Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes, with common genera including Staphylococcus, Cutibacterium, Corynebacterium, and Micrococcus. These bacteria interact with host cells to support immune function, skin barrier health, and protection against pathogens. Disruption of their balance is associated with various skin diseases. However, 'skin bacteria' is not a precise molecular target or receptor—it encompasses hundreds of different bacterial species rather than a single, actionable molecular entity for therapeutic intervention.

Other names: Skin microbiotaSkin commensal bacteriaCutaneous bacteria

Mechanism of action

Antibiotics: Direct bacterial killing or inhibition Probiotics/live biotherapeutics: Competition with pathogens, modulation of local immunity, restoration of commensal balance

Biological functions

Immune modulationMaintenance of skin barrierProtection against pathogens (colonization resistance)Modulation of inflammationWound healing

Disease associations

InfectionInflammation (e.g., atopic dermatitis, psoriasis)Contribution to skin toxicities in cancer therapyAltered microbiome (dysbiosis) may play a role in inflammatory skin diseases and impaired wound healing

Safety considerations

Use of broad-spectrum antibiotics can disrupt beneficial commensals and promote resistanceEffectiveness and safety of live biotherapeutics are under investigation—risks of infection or microbe-induced inflammation remain concerns

Interacting drugs

Topical and systemic antibiotics (e.g., clindamycin, mupirocin for pathogenic *Staphylococcus aureus* or *Cutibacterium acnes*)

1 more in the full profile.

Biomarkers

Abundance of certain bacteria (e.g., increased *Staphylococcus aureus* associated with atopic dermatitis severity)Reduced overall microbial diversity correlates with skin disease states

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