Skin barrier impairment correlates with cutaneous<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>colonization and sensitization to skin-associated microbial antigens in adult patients with atopic dermatitis

Abstract

In adult patients with AD, a disrupted skin barrier promotes skin colonization by microbes, such as S. aureus. Heavy microbial colonization may facilitate skin penetration of microbial antigens leading to subsequent IgE sensitization. These results illustrate the importance of skin-associated microbial colonization and sensitization to microbial-derived allergens in eczema pathogenesis.