Microbial Changes in Hand Skin During COVID-19: A Longitudinal Study in Majorca, Spain
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted widespread adoption of intensified hand hygiene practices, raising concerns about their medium-term impact on the skin microbiome. This study investigates alterations in the hand microbiome of healthy adults during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic periods in Major...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| author | Cristina Turpín Antonio Doménech-Sánchez |
| author_facet | Cristina Turpín Antonio Doménech-Sánchez |
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| description | The COVID-19 pandemic prompted widespread adoption of intensified hand hygiene practices, raising concerns about their medium-term impact on the skin microbiome. This study investigates alterations in the hand microbiome of healthy adults during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic periods in Majorca, Spain. A total of 30 volunteers (16 women, 14 men; mean age 44.1 ± 8.8 years) were sampled between 2014 and 2021. Palm swabs were collected following WHO guidelines, alongside measurements of skin pH, temperature, and handwashing frequency. Bacterial DNA was extracted and analyzed via 16S rRNA (V3-V4) metagenomic sequencing to assess microbial diversity and composition. Results revealed a significant decline in microbial diversity during the COVID-19 period, accompanied by a marked shift in the community structure. The <i>Firmicutes</i> phylum dominated, with <i>Bacillales</i> increasing from 30.7% to 84.1%, primarily driven by a surge in <i>Staphylococcus</i> species (e.g., <i>S. pasteuri</i>). Conversely, <i>S. hominis</i> and <i>Actinomycetales</i> nearly disappeared. No significant associations were observed with gender or handwashing frequency. The skin temperature increased during the pandemic, while the pH remained stable. The <i>Staphylococcus</i>/<i>Bacillus</i> ratio shifted significantly, favoring <i>Staphylococcus</i> dominance. These findings, derived from a geographically limited population in Majorca, Spain, demonstrate that stringent hygiene measures during COVID-19 reduced microbial diversity and restructured hand microbiome composition. The study underscores the necessity for balanced hygiene strategies that mitigate pathogen transmission while preserving beneficial microbial communities critical to skin health. |
| format | Article |
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| spelling | doaj-art-2a70e5de764e4083a0b988c2c33a062d2025-07-25T13:30:23ZengMDPI AGMicrobiology Research2036-74812025-07-0116714410.3390/microbiolres16070144Microbial Changes in Hand Skin During COVID-19: A Longitudinal Study in Majorca, SpainCristina Turpín0Antonio Doménech-Sánchez1Escuela de Hostelería de las Islas Baleares (EHIB), Edificio Arxiduc Lluís Salvador, Universidad de las Islas Baleares, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, SpainInstituto Universitario de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud (IUNICS), Universidad de las Islas Baleares, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, SpainThe COVID-19 pandemic prompted widespread adoption of intensified hand hygiene practices, raising concerns about their medium-term impact on the skin microbiome. This study investigates alterations in the hand microbiome of healthy adults during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic periods in Majorca, Spain. A total of 30 volunteers (16 women, 14 men; mean age 44.1 ± 8.8 years) were sampled between 2014 and 2021. Palm swabs were collected following WHO guidelines, alongside measurements of skin pH, temperature, and handwashing frequency. Bacterial DNA was extracted and analyzed via 16S rRNA (V3-V4) metagenomic sequencing to assess microbial diversity and composition. Results revealed a significant decline in microbial diversity during the COVID-19 period, accompanied by a marked shift in the community structure. The <i>Firmicutes</i> phylum dominated, with <i>Bacillales</i> increasing from 30.7% to 84.1%, primarily driven by a surge in <i>Staphylococcus</i> species (e.g., <i>S. pasteuri</i>). Conversely, <i>S. hominis</i> and <i>Actinomycetales</i> nearly disappeared. No significant associations were observed with gender or handwashing frequency. The skin temperature increased during the pandemic, while the pH remained stable. The <i>Staphylococcus</i>/<i>Bacillus</i> ratio shifted significantly, favoring <i>Staphylococcus</i> dominance. These findings, derived from a geographically limited population in Majorca, Spain, demonstrate that stringent hygiene measures during COVID-19 reduced microbial diversity and restructured hand microbiome composition. The study underscores the necessity for balanced hygiene strategies that mitigate pathogen transmission while preserving beneficial microbial communities critical to skin health.https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7481/16/7/144microbiomeskinhandCOVID |
| spellingShingle | Cristina Turpín Antonio Doménech-Sánchez Microbial Changes in Hand Skin During COVID-19: A Longitudinal Study in Majorca, Spain Microbiology Research microbiome skin hand COVID |
| title | Microbial Changes in Hand Skin During COVID-19: A Longitudinal Study in Majorca, Spain |
| title_full | Microbial Changes in Hand Skin During COVID-19: A Longitudinal Study in Majorca, Spain |
| title_fullStr | Microbial Changes in Hand Skin During COVID-19: A Longitudinal Study in Majorca, Spain |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microbial Changes in Hand Skin During COVID-19: A Longitudinal Study in Majorca, Spain |
| title_short | Microbial Changes in Hand Skin During COVID-19: A Longitudinal Study in Majorca, Spain |
| title_sort | microbial changes in hand skin during covid 19 a longitudinal study in majorca spain |
| topic | microbiome skin hand COVID |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7481/16/7/144 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT cristinaturpin microbialchangesinhandskinduringcovid19alongitudinalstudyinmajorcaspain AT antoniodomenechsanchez microbialchangesinhandskinduringcovid19alongitudinalstudyinmajorcaspain |