AUTHOR=Zhang Jingxi , Jiang Peiyun , Zhang Yaxin , Liu Wenlou , Kong Shujing , Hou Xiaoyang , Qi Zuoyao , Sun Yujin , Jiang Guan 

TITLE=Effects of wearing masks during COVID-19 pandemic on the composition and diversity of skin bacteria and fungi in medical workers

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1274050

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2023.1274050

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<sec id="sec1"><title>Background</title><p>Although studies have shown that wearing masks can affect the skin microbiome, more detailed and comprehensive research on wearing masks needs to be further explored.</p></sec><sec id="sec2"><title>Objective</title><p>This study aimed to characterize the influence of mask wearing on the diversity and structural characteristics of the facial skin microbial community of medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic by means of metagenomic sequencing (mNGS).</p></sec><sec id="sec3"><title>Methods</title><p>A total of 40 samples were taken by swabbing the cheek in the 2 × 2 cm<sup>2</sup> area before and after wearing the masks. DNA was extracted for metagenomic sequencing.</p></sec><sec id="sec4"><title>Results</title><p>A statistically significant decrease was found in the α diversity between BN and AN groups and between B2 h and A2 h groups. BN and AN mean groups before and after 8 h of wearing the medical protective mask (N95), including 10 volunteers, respectively. B2 h and A2 h mean groups before and after 8 h of wearing masks, including 10 volunteers changing mask every 2 h, respectively. The β diversity was found to be statistically reduced between BS and AS groups (<italic>p</italic> = 0.025), BN and AN groups (<italic>p</italic> = 0.009), and B2 h and A2 h group (<italic>p</italic> = 0.042). The fungal beta diversity was significantly decreased in every group before and after wearing masks. The main bacteria on the face before and after wearing masks were <bold>Cutibacterium</bold> (68.02 and 71.73%). Among the fungi, <bold>Malassezia</bold> predominated the facial skin surface before and after wearing masks (35.81 and 39.63%, respectively).</p></sec><sec id="sec5"><title>Conclusion</title><p>Wearing different types of masks and changing masks according to different frequency will have different effects on the facial skin’s microbiota.</p></sec>