Microbiome Analysis of Skin and Airway Samples and Effect of Face Masks

Antwerp University Hospital (UZA)

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Healthy

Treatments: Other: Observational intervention

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04894422

B3002021000072

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this study is to optimize two methods for microbiome analysis of skin and upper airway samples (16S amplicon sequencing and Shotgun sequencing). In addition, the researchers will investigate whether there is an effect of wearing a face mask on the microbial communities of the skin and upper airways. The volunteers will self-collect swabs of the skin and upper airways (nose and/or throat). Bacterial DNA and/or total RNA will be isolated and the microbial communities will be investigated with 16S amplicon sequencing and shotgun metagenomic sequencing.

Enrollment: 100 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adult age 18 at the start of the study

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnant women

Trial design

100 participants in 3 patient groups

No face mask

Description:

Volunteers who did not wear a face mask

Treatment:

Other: Observational intervention

Cotton face mask

Description:

Voluntarily wearing a cotton face mask for 4 hours, following the government's guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Treatment:

Other: Observational intervention

Surgical face mask

Description:

Voluntarily wearing a surgical face mask for 4 hours, following the government's guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Treatment:

Other: Observational intervention