PulseExploreJournal ClubDebatesTrendingResearchersJournals
Instagram
HomeExploreJournal ClubTrending
Synapse
⌘+K
Synapse
March 10, 2026Experimental Dermatology6 citationsOpen Access

The Emerging Role of Gut Microbiota in Inflammatory Skin Diseases: A Systematic Review

View Full Paper
AMAndrea MalgesiniMMMatteo Domenico MarsigliaEBElisa Borghi

Key Points

  • To synthesize current evidence linking gut microbiota alterations with inflammatory skin disorders, including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and hidradenitis suppurativa.
  • Conducted a comprehensive literature search in PubMed
  • Included human observational, interventional, and genetic studies
  • Analyzed studies based on microbiome profiling and genetic causal-inference approaches
  • Excluded studies without control groups or relying solely on culture-based techniques
  • 62 studies were included: 38 on atopic dermatitis, 22 on psoriasis, and 5 on hidradenitis suppurativa
  • Findings revealed reduced alpha-diversity and decreased abundance of specific bacteria in atopic dermatitis
  • Psoriasis studies showed both dysbiosis and altered microbial metabolic pathways
  • Limited data on hidradenitis suppurativa, with reports of increased Ruminococcus gnavus and reduced alpha-diversity

Abstract

ABSTRACT The human gut microbiota is involved in immune regulation, metabolism, and skin homeostasis. In recent years, gut microbiota alterations have been linked with several inflammatory skin disorders, such as atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis, and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). This systematic review synthesises current evidence on gut microbiota composition and functional alterations in these dermatoses. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the PubMed database, identifying studies from inception to January 2025. Eligible studies included human observational, interventional, and genetic studies investigating gut microbiota alterations in AD, psoriasis, or HS, using microbiome profiling or genetic causal‐inference approaches. Studies lacking control groups or relying on culture‐based techniques were excluded. Sixty‐two studies were included: 38 on AD, 22 on psoriasis and 5 on HS, with three addressing more than one disease. In AD, most studies focused on paediatric populations, leaving a knowledge gap regarding adult‐specific data. Reduced alpha‐diversity and decreased abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii , Bifidobacterium spp., and Akkermansia muciniphila were recurrent findings. In psoriasis, in addition to dysbiosis, microbial metabolic pathways were also found to be altered. In HS, data remain limited, but increased Ruminococcus gnavus and reduced alpha‐diversity have been reported, mirroring findings in inflammatory bowel diseases. Gut microbiota has been increasingly implicated in skin inflammation. Despite advances in microbiota analysis, significant gaps remain—especially in adult AD and HS. Future research should prioritize standardised methodologies, larger and more diverse cohorts, and leverage emerging tools such as Mendelian randomization and AI‐based models to develop precision medicine interventions.

Ask AI
Helpful
Bookmark
Share
View Full Paper

Cite This Study

Malgesini et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69af95c070916d39fea4da5dhttps://doi.org/10.1111/exd.70234
Ask AI
Helpful
Bookmark
Share
View Full Paper