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The objective of the study was to characterize the cutaneous microbiome in very low birth weight neonates (VLBW) and to investigate its possible association with neonatal sepsis (NS). Non-invasive skin microbiome specimens were taken repeatedly on different days in 12 VLBW neonates during treatment in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Samples were also collected from incubators. NS was diagnosed in 5 neonates based on clinical symptoms and positive blood cultures. Cutaneous microbial diversity substantially decreased during the first three weeks of life in both septic and non-septic neonates. After the loss of diversity, one Staphylococcus operational taxo-nomic unit (OTU) dominated the skin microbiome. Recovery of microbial diversity was seen in 5 of 12 neonates. There was no association observed between changes of the cutaneous microbi-ome and NS. The microbiome of incubators showed typical environmental bacterial genera. In conclusion, the diversity of the cutaneous microbiome of VLBW neonates decreases during the first weeks of life during NICU treatment. In our patients, we did not see a correlation between NS and changes in the microbiome. Here, other elements, such as invasive medical devices or concomi-tant infections may play a role. |