Staphylococcus aureus colonization in atopic eczema and its association with filaggrin gene mutations. (24th September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Clausen, M.‐L.; Edslev, S.M.; Andersen, P.S.; Clemmensen, K.; Krogfelt, K.A.; Agner, T.
• Is Part Of: British journal of dermatology. Volume 177:Number 5(2017)
• Page Start: 1394
• Page End: 1400
• Publication Date: 2017-09-24
• Subjects: Dermatology -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/bjd.15470
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-0963

Abstract

Summary: Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent disease with significant impact on physical health and quality of life. Staphylococcus aureus has been directly correlated to disease severity, and may also be a contributing causal factor in the pathogenesis of AD. Objectives: The primary aim was to assess differences in S. aureus colonization in patients with AD with and without filaggrin gene mutations. The secondary aim was to assess disease severity in relation to S. aureus colonization. Exploratory analyses were performed to investigate S. aureus genetic lineages in relation to filaggrin gene (FLG) mutations and disease severity. Methods: Adult patients with AD ( n = 101) were included in the study. Bacterial swabs were taken from lesional skin, nonlesional skin and the nose. Swabs positive for S. aureus were characterized by spa and the respective clonal complex (CC) type assigned. Patients were characterized with respect to disease severity (Scoring Atopic Dermatitis) and FLG mutations ( n = 88). Fisher's exact test was used to analyse differences in S. aureus colonization in relation to FLG mutations. Results: Of the 101 patients included, 74 (73%) were colonized with S. aureus . Of the colonized patients, 70 (95%) carried only one CC type in all three different sampling sites. In lesional skin, S. aureus was found in 24 of 31 patients with FLG mutations vs. 24 of 54 wild‐type patients ( P = 0·0004). Staphylococcus aureus CC1 clonal lineage was more prevalent in patients with FLG mutations ( n = 10) than in wild‐type patients ( n = 2) ( P = 0·003). No specific bacterial lineage was linked to disease severity. Conclusions: Increased S. aureus colonization in patients with AD with FLG mutations, and increased prevalence of CC1 in patients with FLG mutations, suggest that host–microbe interactions and clonal differences in S. aureus are important for colonization of AD skin. Abstract : What's already known about this topic? Staphylococcus aureus is a contributing and worsening factor in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). Staphylococcus aureus is clonal, and specific clonal lineages have been associated with other diseases. What does this study add? Staphylococcus aureus colonization of the nose and lesional skin is increased in patients with AD with FLG mutations. The S. aureus clonal lineage was identical in isolates from three distinct sample sites in patients with AD. Staphylococcus aureus CC1 is associated with FLG mutations patients with AD. What is the translational message? Host–microbe interactions and bacterial clonal differences in AD will allow better determination of the pathogenesis and severity of AD in the patient. Linked Comment: Danby. Br J Dermatol 2017; 177 :1164 . Respond to this article