ABSTRACT
The human skin has been identified as an important source and reservoir of not only harmless resident microbial species, but also those responsible for various types of pathogenic conditions, processes, and infectious diseases. Various techniques have been developed to determine both qualitative and quantitative parameters regarding the microorganisms residing on and in the human skin [1,2]. In addition, testing of antimicrobial skin products sometimes requires that data be generated on efficacy against both nonresident transient skin contaminants and resident species. Yet all sampling methods have limitations.
