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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
06:55
Protocol to Create Chronic Wounds in Diabetic Mice
Published on: September 25, 2019
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Functionally enriched human polymorphisms associate to species in the chronic wound microbiome.
Rebecca A Gabrilska1, Khalid Omeir2, Jacob Ancira2
1Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.
NPJ Biofilms and Microbiomes
|October 9, 2025
Summary
Human genetics influences chronic wound bacteria composition. Genetic variations are linked to specific bacterial species, impacting wound healing and infection risk, offering new biomarkers for chronic wounds.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Wound Healing Research
Background:
- Chronic wounds affect millions globally, with impaired closure linked to wound microbiota.
- Emerging evidence suggests human genetics plays a role in shaping individual wound microbiome composition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of human genetics on the relative abundances of bacterial species within chronic wounds.
- To identify genetic loci associated with specific bacterial species in chronic wound microbiomes.
Main Methods:
- A microbiome genome-wide association study (mGWAS) was employed to analyze genetic effects on bacterial species abundance.
- Functional analyses were performed on identified genomic regions and bacterial species.
Main Results:
- Sixteen bacterial species were significantly associated with 193 genetic loci across 25 genomic regions.
- Heritability estimates for species abundance ranged up to 20%, indicating a genetic component.
- Host genetics correlated with the presence of common pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and overall microbiome diversity.
Conclusions:
- Human genetics significantly shapes the chronic wound microbiome.
- Genetic biomarkers can predict risk factors and offer mechanistic insights into chronic wound development and healing.
- Findings highlight the interplay between host genetics and microbial communities in chronic wound pathogenesis.
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