Skin Microbiota And Diabetic Foot Ulcers
July 2025
in “
Frontiers in Microbiology
”
TLDR Imbalanced skin bacteria worsen diabetic foot ulcers, but adjusting them might improve healing.
The document examines the impact of skin microbiota on diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), emphasizing that an imbalance in microbial communities, particularly the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, hinders wound healing. This dysbiosis leads to biofilm formation, reduced antimicrobial peptide production, and compromised skin barrier function, which exacerbate inflammation and delay tissue repair. Advances in molecular biology, such as 16S rRNA gene sequencing, have enhanced understanding of these microbial changes, suggesting that modulating skin microbiota through probiotics or antibacterial drugs could improve DFU healing. However, challenges persist due to the influence of various factors on microbiota composition and the need for more research on fungi and viruses. Addressing obesity-related inflammation and metabolic dysregulation is also crucial for improving DFU outcomes.