The Microbiome in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

The document discussed the role of the cutaneous microbiome in atopic dermatitis (AD), noting that decreased microbiome diversity in AD patients correlated with disease severity and increased colonization by pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus. Early clinical studies suggested that applying commensal organisms topically could reduce AD severity. It emphasized that understanding the microbiome's role in skin disorders could lead to new therapeutic strategies. Recent studies indicated that early colonization by commensal bacteria, such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, in neonatal mice promoted regulatory T cells (Treg) development, reducing inflammation. These findings suggested that early-life microbial interactions are crucial for a healthy immune response, potentially informing preventative and therapeutic strategies for AD.