TY - JOUR

T1 - The association between Staphylococcus aureus colonization on cheek skin at 2 months and subsequent atopic dermatitis in a prospective birth cohort

AU - Rinnov, Maria Rasmussen

AU - Gerner, Trine

AU - Halling, Anne Sofie

AU - Liljendahl, Mie Sylow

AU - Ravn, Nina Haarup

AU - Knudgaard, Mette Hjorslev

AU - Trautner, Simon

AU - Skov, Lone

AU - Thomsen, Simon Francis

AU - Egeberg, Alexander

AU - Jakasa, Ivone

AU - Kezic, Sanja

AU - Petersen, Andreas

AU - Larsen, Anders Rhod

AU - Dam-Nielsen, Casper

AU - Jarløv, Jens Otto

AU - Thyssen, Jacob P.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2023.

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - Background Staphylococcus aureus may worsen already established atopic dermatitis (AD), but its primary role in the aetiopathogenesis and severity of AD is unclear. Objectives To compare the prevalence of S. aureus colonization in early infancy in children who developed AD during the first 2 years of life with children who did not. Methods In this prospective birth cohort study, which included 450 infants, we analysed bacterial swabs collected from cheek skin at 0 and 2 months of age. The development of AD, and its severity, was diagnosed by a physician and monitored prospectively for 2 years. Information on parental atopy, filaggrin gene mutation status and use of antibiotics and emollients was included in the analyses. Results At birth, the occurrence of S. aureus colonization was similar in infants who developed subsequent AD and those who did not. At 2 months of age, S. aureus colonization was more common in children who later developed AD (adjusted hazard ratio 1.97, 95% confidence interval 1.21-3.19; P = 0.006). No association was found between S. aureus colonization and AD severity or age at onset. Conclusions It remains unknown whether colonization with S. aureus may directly increase the risk of AD, or whether it should be considered as secondary to skin barrier impairment or a skewed immune activity, but according to our findings, S. aureus colonization is more commonly increased at 2 months of age in children who later developed AD.

AB - Background Staphylococcus aureus may worsen already established atopic dermatitis (AD), but its primary role in the aetiopathogenesis and severity of AD is unclear. Objectives To compare the prevalence of S. aureus colonization in early infancy in children who developed AD during the first 2 years of life with children who did not. Methods In this prospective birth cohort study, which included 450 infants, we analysed bacterial swabs collected from cheek skin at 0 and 2 months of age. The development of AD, and its severity, was diagnosed by a physician and monitored prospectively for 2 years. Information on parental atopy, filaggrin gene mutation status and use of antibiotics and emollients was included in the analyses. Results At birth, the occurrence of S. aureus colonization was similar in infants who developed subsequent AD and those who did not. At 2 months of age, S. aureus colonization was more common in children who later developed AD (adjusted hazard ratio 1.97, 95% confidence interval 1.21-3.19; P = 0.006). No association was found between S. aureus colonization and AD severity or age at onset. Conclusions It remains unknown whether colonization with S. aureus may directly increase the risk of AD, or whether it should be considered as secondary to skin barrier impairment or a skewed immune activity, but according to our findings, S. aureus colonization is more commonly increased at 2 months of age in children who later developed AD.

U2 - 10.1093/bjd/ljad249

DO - 10.1093/bjd/ljad249

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 37480337

AN - SCOPUS:85178164093

VL - 189

SP - 695

EP - 701

JO - British Journal of Dermatology

JF - British Journal of Dermatology

SN - 0007-0963

IS - 6

ER -