Oral Probiotics, Streptococcus salivarius K12 and M18, Suppress the Release of Volatile Sulfur Compounds and a Virulent Protease from Oral Bacteria: An In-Vitro Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the inhibitory effects of Streptococcus salivarius K12 and M18 strains on the growth of six oral pathogens as well as their release of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), and whether these probiotics can inhibit the expression of arginine-specific gingipain A (RgpA), a protease secreted by Porphyromonas gingivalis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After six halitogenic oral pathogens (P. gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Parvimonas micra, and Eikenella corrodens) were cultured with or without S. salivarius K12 and M18, the concentration of two VSCs was measured. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of S. salivarius K12 and M18 against these pathogens and the suppressive effect on RgpA release by P. gingivalis were assessed. RESULTS: In the co-culture of S. salivarius K12 or M18 with oral pathogenic bacteria, the growth of all six oral pathogens was significantly inhibited (p < 0.01). Additionally, S. salivarius K12 and M18 had an inhibitory effect on the production of the halitogenic substances H2S and CH3SH (p < 0.01) as well as the expression of P. gingivalis RgpA. Finally, we demonstrated that the addition of only culture supernatants of the two strains K12/M18 to oral pathogen cultures was sufficient to mimic the effects of K12/M18 co-cultures upon VSCs production and protease expression. CONCLUSIONS: S. salivarius K12 and M18 inhibited VSC release by all six of the major oral pathogens that were assayed and reduced the expression of RgpA.

A retrospective analysis of patients suffering from halitosis over a 17-year period.

Halitosis is a socially avoided topic with an increasing worldwide prevalence. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the different forms of halitosis and factors such as: gender, smoking, stress, and oral hygiene. We analysed data from patients registered at the Center of Salivary Diagnostics, Hyposalivation and Halitosis at the University Center for Dental Medicine Basel over a 17-year period, using both subjective and objective approaches to determine the presence of halitosis. The data was statistically analysed using chi-squared and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Although halitosis is of multifactorial origin, an oral cause was found in 3 out of 4 patients. Men showed higher values of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) (p = 0.002) indicative of halitosis than women, while women displayed better oral hygiene (p < 0.001), yet were twice as likely to suffer from halitophobia than males. Patients with higher tongue coating scores (p < 0.001) and periodontitis (p < 0.001) had higher levels of VSC, contributing to bad breath, whereas patients with symptoms such as stress (p = 0.81) or smoking (p = 0.28) did not reveal significantly altered measurements. This study sheds light on the complex and multifactorial nature of halitosis over a long period of time. It further underlines the importance of individualized treatment strategies, given halitosis' multifactorial nature, in order to contribute to the patients' treatment needs.

Resigning oneself to a life of wound-related odour - A thematic analysis of patient experiences.

AIMS: To determine how patients with chronic wounds describe wound odour, identify what strategies they use to manage it and how effective these are. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a qualitative descriptive approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted between July and August 2021 with seven patients living with an odorous chronic wound at home. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis framework. RESULTS: The results were organised into two main themes: 1) becoming resigned to living with wound-related odour 2) strategies used to manage wound-related odour. Participants were sad, embarrassed and felt isolated but became resigned to living with this odour and accepting of it as a consequence of having a wound. Frequent dressing changes, household cleaning along with the use of sprays were the most frequently used tactics to manage odour none of which were deemed to be very effective. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the problem of odour management in clinical practice and how individuals develop strategies to overcome odour. Sadly, patients were resigned to living with wound odour and were accepting of it as part of daily life. This highlights the importance for healthcare professionals to recognise, assess for and ensure a better understanding of how people experience wound odour, the impact it can have on them personally. Frequent dressing changes can help manage wound odour from the patient's perspective.

Darier's disease exhibits a unique cutaneous microbial dysbiosis associated with inflammation and body malodour.

BACKGROUND: Darier's disease (DD) is a genodermatosis caused by mutations of the ATP2A2 gene leading to disrupted keratinocyte adhesion. Recurrent episodes of skin inflammation and infections with a typical malodour in DD indicate a role for microbial dysbiosis. Here, for the first time, we investigated the DD skin microbiome using a metabarcoding approach of 115 skin swabs from 14 patients and 14 healthy volunteers. Furthermore, we analyzed its changes in the context of DD malodour and the cutaneous DD transcriptome. RESULTS: We identified a disease-specific cutaneous microbiome with a loss of microbial diversity and of potentially beneficial commensals. Expansion of inflammation-associated microbes such as Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus warneri strongly correlated with disease severity. DD dysbiosis was further characterized by abundant species belonging to Corynebacteria, Staphylococci and Streptococci groups displaying strong associations with malodour intensity. Transcriptome analyses showed marked upregulation of epidermal repair, inflammatory and immune defence pathways reflecting epithelial and immune response mechanisms to DD dysbiotic microbiome. In contrast, barrier genes including claudin-4 and cadherin-4 were downregulated. CONCLUSIONS: These findings allow a better understanding of Darier exacerbations, highlighting the role of cutaneous dysbiosis in DD inflammation and associated malodour. Our data also suggest potential biomarkers and targets of intervention for DD. Video Abstract.

Effects of single rinse with three different types of mouthwashes on VSCs levels in morning breath: Randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Morning breath is a temporary and unpleasant malodour sourced from the mouth, which occurs upon awakening. This double-blind, crossover, randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate the bad-breath suppression of three commercially available mouthwashes: Mentadent Professional® Chlorhexidine 0.05% with vitamin C (ChxC), Meridol Alito Sicuro® (SnF2 ) and CB12® (ZnChx) compared to a placebo (PbO) on morning halitosis. METHODS: Thirty-two subjects refraining from oral hygiene practices for 12 h before the evaluation, performed a 30-s rinse with 15 ml of mouthwash, followed by a 5-s gargle, in the evening before bedtime. In order to assess morning halitosis, visual inspection (Winkel Tongue Coating Index), organoleptic (Rosenberg index) and chromatographic measurements were used. Gas chromatography was carried out by means of a dedicated device, the Oral Chroma. The recorded measurements have to be considered solely after the rinse since no data about the pre-exposure were available. A washout period of 1 week passed between one administration and the next. RESULTS: The mean value of the organoleptic indices after administration of ChxC mouthwash is similar to ZnChx, SnF2 and PbO values. Thus, no statistically significant differences were recorded among the mouthwashes and PbO. Nevertheless, ChxC seems to be more efficient in comparison with the PbO regarding VSCs levels analysed with Oral Chroma, (CH3 SH; p = 0.0081) and [(CH3 )2 S; p = 0.0003]. CONCLUSION: Considering our limited sample, instrumental examination demonstrated that the use of the analysed mouthwashes can result in low VSCs levels after 12 h from a single rinse. Furthermore, the highest number of patients (n = 14) were proved to be free from bad smell after using a single administration of ChxC with respect to the other commercial products. The other tested mouthwashes did not show better performances with respect to the placebo after a single rinse.

Aetiology and associations of halitosis: A systematic review.

Halitosis is a term that refers to an unpleasant or foul odour originating from the oral cavity that can be caused by either intra-oral or extra-oral factors. Despite the fact that halitosis has multifactorial aetiology, intra-oral factors play a significant role in the majority of cases. This systematic review assesses halitosis's intra-oral and extra-oral associations. An electronic search through MEDLINE (PubMed), Google Scholar and the Wiley Online Library was conducted to identify relevant manuscripts. A keywords-based search was performed, using the terms 'halitosis', 'bad-breath', and 'oral malodour causes and aetiology'. Articles published from January 2014 to December 2020 were included. We selected studies evaluating the intra-oral and extra-oral factors that induce oral malodour, as well as the factors associated with systemic diseases. Eighty to ninety percent of halitosis is caused by intra-oral factors, with coated tongue, periodontal diseases and poor oral hygiene practices being the principal factors. Ten to twenty percent of halitosis is induced by extra-oral factors associated with systemic diseases. Multiple factors can cause halitosis, but most of the aetiology is intra-oral. Increased medical awareness is needed to determine the actual pathophysiological process of oral malodour in otherwise healthy individuals.

Clinical and oral microbiome pattern of halitosis patients with periodontitis and gingivitis.

Halitosis is caused by a bacterial proteolytic process that induces the production of volatile sulfur compounds, odor-causing gases. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical oral hygiene state and oral microbiome pattern of halitosis patients with periodontitis and gingivitis. The oral hygiene state of halitosis patients with periodontitis and gingivitis was assessed using the oral hygiene index simplified (OHI-S), decay missing filled teeth (DMFT), and tongue biofilm. The dorsum of the tongue and subgingival swabs were cultured for bacteria, and bacterial morphology was evaluated using Gram staining. Evaluation of the bacterial genus using the Bergey's systematic bacteriology diagram as a guide. A total of ten patients with periodontitis and gingivitis were included. Our data indicated that the scores of OHI-S and DMFT were different significantly between halitosis patients with periodontitis and gingivitis (both had p<0.001) while tongue biofilm score was not different between groups. On the dorsum of the tongue, periodontitis patients had a significant higher oral microbiome population (85.65x106 CFU/mL) compared to those with gingivitis (0.047x106 CFU/mL) with p=0.002. In contrast, the number of microbiomes in the subgingival had no significant different between periodontitis and gingivitis. On the dorsum of the tongue, six bacterial genera were isolated from periodontitis cases and seven genera were detected from gingivitis patients. On subgingival, 10 and 15 genera were identified from periodontitis and gingivitis, respectively. Fusobacterium, Propionibacterium, Eubacterium and Lactobacillus were the most prevalent among periodontitis cases while Porphyromonas was the most prevalent in gingivitis patients. In conclusion, although OHI-S and DMFT are different between periodontitis and gingivitis, overlapping of bacterial genera was detected between periodontitis and gingivitis cases.

Prevalence of halitosis among young adults in Dunedin, New Zealand.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of halitosis in young adults. METHODS: Young adults (n = 372; mean age = 21.0 ± 2.6 years old, range = 18-30 years) in Dunedin, New Zealand, were recruited into the cross sectional study after providing informed consent. The prevalence of halitosis was determined using both objective measurements (parts per billion [ppb] volatile sulphur compounds [VSCs] in the exhaled air) and subjective measurements (self-reported halitosis questionnaire, tongue coating index, and organoleptic assessment). RESULTS: Volatile sulphur compounds measurements indicated that the prevalence of halitosis (values ≥140 ppb) was 31.2%; 25.6% of participants self-reported halitosis. The organoleptic assessment revealed that 14.3% of the participants had a score of ≥2. A positive correlation was found between the VSC measurements and organoleptic assessment (p < 0.05). No significant relationship was found between self-reported halitosis and either organoleptic assessment or VSC measurements. Self-reported dry mouth, smoking, oral hygiene index, DMFT index, and tongue coating score were significantly associated with the organoleptic assessment (p < 0.05). The self-reported dry mouth, mouth breathing and tongue coating score were significantly associated with the VSC scores (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Halitosis, as represented by VSC, was found in 31.2% of the participants. VSC scores and organoleptic assessment were positively correlated. There was no significant relationship between self-reported halitosis and either organoleptic assessment or VSC measurements.

A Comprehensive View of Microbial Communities in the Laundering Cycle Suggests a Preventive Effect of Soil Bacteria on Malodour Formation.

Microorganisms are an important factor in the wash-and-use cycle of textiles since they can cause unwanted aesthetic effects, such as malodour formation, and even pose health risks. In this regard, a comprehensive view of the microbial communities in washing machines and consideration of the microbial contamination of used textiles is needed to understand the formation of malodour and evaluate the infection risk related to laundering. So far, neither the compositions of washing machine biofilms leading to the formation of or protection against malodour have been investigated intensively, nor have microbial communities on used towels been analysed after normal use. Our results link the qualitative and quantitative analysis of microbial communities in washing machines and on used towels with the occurrence of malodour and thus not only allow for a better risk evaluation but also suggest bacterial colonizers of washing machines that might prevent malodour formation. It was shown that soil bacteria such as Rhizobium, Agrobacterium, Bosea, and Microbacterium in particular are found in non-odourous machines, and that Rhizobium species are able to prevent malodour formation in an in vitro model.

Effectiveness of oral care interventions on malodour in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Oral malodour is identified by pet owners as an unpleasant inconvenience, but they may not recognise this likely indicates underlying disease. The primary cause of oral malodour relates to the presence of bacteria in the oral cavity often associated with gingivitis and periodontitis. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of feeding two oral care chews with different textural properties on oral malodour and the proportion of bacterial species involved in the production of volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs). METHODS: Fourteen dogs (9 Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen (PBGV) and 5 Beagle dogs) participated in the randomised cross-over study for a total of 14 weeks. The cohort was divided into four groups with each exposed to a different intervention per week: chew A, chew B, tooth brushing control or a no intervention control. An induced malodour method was used to assess VSCs in breath samples using a portable gas chromatograph (OralChroma™). Microbiological samples (supragingival plaque and tongue coating scrapes) were analysed for VSC-producing bacteria using Oral Hydrogen Sulfide agar with lead acetate. RESULTS: VSCs were detected in the dogs' breath samples and levels of hydrogen sulphide and methyl mercaptan were found to be reduced following an intervention. Chew B significantly reduced the levels of both hydrogen sulphide (p < 0.001) and methyl mercaptan (p < 0.05) compared to no intervention. Reductions in methyl mercaptan were also observed for chew A and tooth brushing but these were not statistically significant. When compared to no intervention, all interventions significantly reduced the total bacterial load and VSC producing bacterial load in plaque (p < 0.001). For tongue samples, only chew B significantly reduced the total bacterial load and VSC-producing bacterial load (p < 0.001) compared to no intervention. CONCLUSIONS: By inducing oral malodour and subsequently applying the one-time interventions, significant reductions in the levels of VSCs were observed. The use of oral care chews texturally designed to deliver a deep, all-round cleaning action can be particularly effective at managing oral malodour in dogs, likely through an enhanced ability to remove bacteria.

The Two-Way Interaction between the Molecules That Cause Vaginal Malodour and Lactobacilli: An Opportunity for Probiotics.

Vaginal malodour is a sign of dysbiosis. The biogenic amines (BAs) cadaverine, putrescine and tyramine are known to be causative compounds. Recent reports suggest these compounds produced by pathogens might have a role beyond causing malodour; namely inhibiting the growth of lactobacilli bacteria that are crucial in the maintenance of vaginal homeostasis. The aim of this study was to identify whether certain lactobacilli strains could reduce BAs and to evaluate how Lactobacillus species were affected by these compounds. Using LC-MS and HPLC-UV, five Lactobacillus crispatus strains were identified as being capable of significantly reducing BAs from the media under in vitro conditions. Through 16S rRNA gene sequencing of vaginal swabs exposed to Bas, cadaverine was found to reduce the relative abundance of lactobacilli. When L. crispatus was exposed to media supplemented with BAs with an HCl adjusted lower pH, its growth was enhanced, demonstrating the relevance of the maintenance of an acidic vaginal environment. If strains are to be developed for probiotic application to alleviate bacterial vaginosis and other conditions affecting large numbers of women worldwide, their ability to adapt to Bas and regulate pH should be part of the experimentation.

Scent in Motion: On the Multiple Uses of Ambient Scent in the Context of Passenger Transport.

There is undoubtedly growing interest in the role of scent in the design of multisensory experiences. However, to date, the majority of the research has focused on its use in the (static) built environment. As highlighted by this narrative review, somewhat different challenges and opportunities arise just as soon as one starts to consider olfaction in the case of transportation-what might be called "scent in motion." For instance, levels of anxiety/stress while traveling are often higher (especially in the case of air travel), while, at the same time, the passenger's personal space is frequently compromised. Four key functional roles for scent in the context of passenger transportation are outlined. They include the masking of malodour, the introduction of branded signature scents, short-term olfactory marketing interventions, and the functional use of scent to enhance the experience of travel. In the latter case, one might consider the use of scent to help reduce the stress/anxiety amongst airplane passengers or to give the impression of cleanliness. Meanwhile, in the case of driving, scents have been suggested as an inoffensive means of alerting/relaxing the driver and may also help tackle the problem of motion sickness. The specific challenges associated with scent in motion are reviewed and a number of future opportunities highlighted.

Wound infections: an overview.

In the ever-changing world of wound care and nursing, it remains apparent that chronic wounds are a growing challenge. Evidence shows that age increases the likelihood of developing a chronic wound, which supports the notion that the burden of these wounds on the NHS is likely to further intensify with the ageing population. There are many reasons why a wound may fail to progress, including wound aetiology, comorbidities and environmental and socio-economic factors. One of the most significant reasons why wounds may fail to progress and become chronic is untreated wound infection. In order for clinicians to be able to treat and manage wound infections, it is vital that they understand how infection develops, the many ways in which infections may present themselves and how and when to initiate appropriate topical and systemic therapies to treat wound bed infections. The present article provides an overview of wound bed infections and their management.

Smells Like Teen Spirit-A Model to Generate Laundry-Associated Malodour In Vitro.

Although malodour formation on textiles and in washing machines has been reported to be a very relevant problem in domestic laundry, the processes leading to bad odours have not been studied intensively. In particular, the smell often described as "wet-and-dirty-dustcloth-like malodour" had not been reproduced previously. We developed a lab model based on a bacterial mixture of Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus hominis, and Corynebacterium jeikeium, which can produce this odour type and which might allow the detailed investigation of this problem and the development of counteractions. The model uses bacterial strains that have been isolated from malodourous textiles. We could also show that the three volatile compounds dimethyl disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide, and indole contribute considerably to the "wet-fabric-like" malodour. These substances were not only found to be formed in the malodour model but have already been identified in the literature as relevant malodourous substances.

Inhibition of microbial production of the malodorous substance isovaleric acid by 4,4' dichloro 2-hydroxydiphenyl ether (DCPP).

Human body malodour is a complex phenomenon. Several types of sweat glands produce odorless secretions that are metabolized by a consortium of skin-resident microorganisms to a diverse set of malodorous substances. Isovaleric acid, a sweaty-smelling compound, is one major malodorous component produced by staphylococci with the skin-derived amino acid L-leucine as a substrate. During wearing, fabrics are contaminated with sweat and microorganisms and high humidity propagates growth and microbial malodour production. Incomplete removal of sweat residues and microorganisms from fabrics during laundry with bleach-free detergents and at low temperatures elevate the problem of textile malodour. This study aimed to analyze the inhibitory effect of the antimicrobial 4,4' dichloro 2-hydroxydiphenyl ether (DCPP) on the formation of isovaleric acid on fabrics. Therefore, GC-FID- and GC-MS-based methods for the analysis of isovaleric acid in an artificial human sweat-mimicking medium and in textile extracts were established. Here, we show that antimicrobials capable to deposit on fabrics during laundry, such as DCPP, are effective in growth inhibition of typical malodour-generating bacteria and prevent the staphylococcal formation of isovaleric acid on fabrics in a simple experimental setup. This can contribute to increased hygiene for mild laundry care approaches, where bacterial contamination and malodour production represent a considerable consumer problem.

Use of a superabsorbent dressing in the management of exudate in hard-to-heal wounds.

With the shift in demographics towards an ageing population with multimorbidity, the number of hard-to-heal (chronic) wounds is increasing each year. This poses a challenge for both health professionals, for whom wound management is becoming more complex, and for patients, who have to cope with exudate production, malodour and pain. This article summarises understanding of healing in such wounds and how best to meet the challenge of exudate, which is a ubiquitous hallmark of hard-to-heal wounds. The role of superabsorbent dressings is considered, with particular reference to Kliniderm superabsorbent in the management of people with these challenging wounds.

Scent in the Context of Live Performance.

Ambient smell has long been a feature of live performance, no matter whether its presence was intentional or not. While, once upon a time, the incidental presence of malodour was an inevitable feature of proceedings, the deliberate use of scent can actually be traced all the way back to the earliest rituals. This review attempts to trace the long history of scent's use in processions, pageants, and, most important, performance. From Shakespeare's time onward, scent has been used as an atmospheric/ambient cue. It has been used to create a certain mood, to trigger memories/nostalgia, and, on occasion, it has also served a narrative role. While the use of scent has often been merely illustrative (or pleonastic), there have been numerous occasions where olfactory stimulation has taken on a far more important evaluative role, critical or otherwise. Most often, this has been in the theatre, but also on occasion in the context of the opera, musical, ballet, and comedy too. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in scenting live performance/entertainment, especially in the context of highly immersive and experiential multisensory events. While high-tech solutions to scent delivery have been a prominent feature of its use in the cinema, low-tech solutions have more often been incorporated in the live-performance setting. This and a number of other important differences between scent's use in the theatrical versus cinematic setting are highlighted.

Alternative therapies in controlling oral malodour: a systematic review.

Is there a role for alternative therapies in controlling intra-oral halitosis? Treatments other than tongue cleaning and anti-halitosis products containing zinc, chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride were considered as alternative therapies. Four databases were searched (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and The Cochrane Library). Inclusion criteria were: examination of alternative halitosis therapies, study population with oral malodour, a (negative or positive) control group and evaluation of breath odour via organoleptic and/or instrumental assessment. Data were extracted for descriptive analysis. The screening of 7656 titles led to the inclusion of 26 articles. Analysis showed heterogeneity concerning the population of interest (from cysteine-induced to genuine halitosis), the examined treatment and the reported outcomes. This made a meta-analysis impossible. Essential oils, fluoride-containing products and herbal substances were the most studied. Results varied enormously and none of the active ingredients had an unambiguously positive effect on the malodour. The risk of bias was assessed as high in all articles. Given the fact that little evidence was found for each of the investigated treatments, it could be concluded that there is currently insufficient evidence that alternative therapies are of added value in the treatment of halitosis.Clinical relevanceScientific rationale:Halitosis is a common problem causing social isolation. Out of embarrassment, patients search the internet, leading to many questions about alternative solutions (e.g. oil pulling, herbs). This is the first systematic review on these alternative therapies.Principal findings: Results varied among studies. Some promising results were found for fluoride-containing toothpastes and probiotics. For other products (such as herbal and antibacterial products and essential oils) results were inconsistent. Long-term follow-up studies on these products are scarce. Moreover, the quality of the studies was poor.Practical implications:No clear evidence was found to support a certain alternative anti-halitosis therapy.

Effectiveness of novel herbal dentifrice in control of plaque, gingivitis, and halitosis - Randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Plaque is a common etiological factor for common oral conditions like gingivitis, periodontitis, dental caries and halitosis. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a novel herbal dentifrice in control of plaque, gingivitis, and halitosis in comparison to control dentifrice. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE: We conducted a randomized controlled, single center, double-blinded parallel arm clinical trial. Participants were randomly distributed with commercially available herbal dentifrice or control dentifrice. Assessments of plaque, gingivitis, halitosis, unstimulated saliva pH were done at baseline and at one month by a trained and calibrated periodontist. All the participants were given new toothbrushes one week before the start of the study. They were asked to brush with the designated dentifrices for 2-4 min, twice daily for one month. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total of 79 participants were recruited for this study, out of which 75 participants completed the follow-up. Inter-group comparisons of all the variables at baseline showed no significant differences in the mean plaque index, gingival index, halitosis and pH between test and control groups respectively. Intra-group comparisons showed a significant decrease in mean plaque, gingival and halitosis at follow-up than at baseline in both test and control groups. No significant differences between test and control groups were seen in the mean plaque index (P = 0.792), gingival index (P = 0.292), halitosis (P = 0.266), pH (P = 0.742) at follow-up after adjusting the respective baseline scores. The novel herbal dentifrice could be a suitable alternative for the control of plaque, gingivitis, and halitosis.

Biological and Chemical Processes that Lead to Textile Malodour Development.

The development of malodour on clothing is a well-known problem with social, economic and ecological consequences. Many people still think malodour is the result of a lack of hygiene, which causes social stigma and embarrassment. Clothing is washed more frequently due to odour formation or even discarded when permastink develops. The malodour formation process is impacted by many variables and processes throughout the textile lifecycle. The contact with the skin with consequent transfer of microorganisms, volatiles and odour precursors leads to the formation of a distinctive textile microbiome and volatilome. The washing and drying processes further shape the textile microbiome and impact malodour formation. These processes are impacted by interindividual differences and fabric type as well. This review describes the current knowledge on the volatilome and microbiome of the skin, textile and washing machine, the multiple factors that determine malodour formation on textiles and points out what information is still missing.