What is the project about?

Our bodies host millions of microorganisms, such as bacteria, which live on our skin and in our gut, contributing to our overall health. Lifestyle factors, including diet, can influence the types of microorganisms that occupy our skin and gut, shifting the balance between health-promoting and disease-promoting types. This study will examine the microorganism composition of the skin and gut in people with acne, comparing it to those without acne, focusing on understudied African individuals. Specifically, we aim to understand how imbalances in skin and gut microorganisms may contribute to acne development.

Where is the project taking place?

We aim to recruit a total of 130 participants with acne and 130 participants with healthy skin. To ensure diverse representation, the study will investigate gut and cutaneous microbiota across populations with varying lifestyles from both urban and rural environments. Recruitment will take place in urban areas at three universities in the Western Cape (WC) Province: Stellenbosch University, University of the Western Cape, and University of Cape Town. Additionally, rural participants will be recruited from two locations in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province: Ndwedwe Local Municipality and Mpofana in Ubuhlebezwe Local Municipality.

Sampling plan:

1. KwaZulu-Natal (KZN):
   • Online registration: Now open.
   • Sampling period: January to early February 2025.
2. Western Cape (WC):
   • Online registration: Now open.
   • Initial sampling period: February to April 2025.
   • Longitudinal study: Begins in April 2025 and continues until November 2025.

Who are we looking for?  

We are inviting people between 18-25 years old who:

• ⁠ ⁠Identify as Black (African)
• ⁠ ⁠Male or Female
• ⁠ ⁠Have either been battling facial acne or
• ⁠ ⁠Have healthy skin with no major acne breakout in the past six months
• ⁠ ⁠No antibiotics or probiotics taken in the past six months.
• ⁠ ⁠Generally Healthy individuals.

Why Participate?  

Your involvement will contribute to advancing scientific knowledge on skin and gut health, plus:

• ⁠ ⁠Be part of cutting-edge research
• ⁠ ⁠Get a free dermatological assessment
• ⁠ ⁠Help us improve skin health awareness

Participants will receive a free R250 Takealot voucher as a token of appreciation for their time, inconvenience, and expenses.

What is required from you as a participant:

How to participate?

Ready to Join? Click the link to register:
People from the Western Cape Province can register: https://forms.gle/ZGS5XPjtEbLw1aH8A.
People from the Kwa-Zulu-Natal can register: https://rb.gy/pg3coc.
For more information:
Feel free to contact me, Nombuso Sithole, at 21503591@sun.ac.za or gsmicrobiome@gmail.com.

Additional Contacts:

• ⁠ ⁠Prof. Thulani P. Makhalanyane: +27 21 808 5854 (for further queries or assistance)
• ⁠ ⁠Health Research Ethics Committee: +27 21 938 9677/9819 (for unresolved questions)

*This study has received ethics approval from the Health Research Ethics Committee at Stellenbosch University (Project ID: 30052).

Research Team

• Investigator: Miss N. Sithole, Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University
• Primary Investigator: Prof. T. Makhalanyane, Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University
• Co-Investigator: Dr. P. Montso, Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University.
• Co-Investigator: Dr. S. Kannenberg, Division of Dermatology, Stellenbosch University.
• Co-Investigator: Dr. P. Le, The EBInnov® research unit, Ecole de Biologie Industrielle.
• Co-investigator: Dr. J. Ncayiyana, Discipline of Public Health Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal.