AD Treatment Normalizes Skin Microbiome

After 3 months of treatment, the skin microbiome of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) was more similar to healthy controls, according to a study published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology.

In order to characterize changes in the skin microbiome during treatment for AD, researchers conducted a longitudinal prospective study. Patients with eczema were randomized to receive either standard treatment (emollients and topical corticosteroids) or standard treatment plus dilute bleach baths (DBB). Samples from four body sites were collected over a 3-month period, during which time the disease severity was also evaluated. Samples were assessed using 16S rRNA amplification.

In the disease population (n=28), there was an increased prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus that correlated with disease severity and reduced microbiome diversity. Decreased numbers of S aureus correlated with improved disease severity. In addition, patients who also received DBB treatment had a significantly lower abundance of S aureus vs standard treatment alone.

Over time the 3-month period, the skin microbiome of patients with AD gradually became more similar to the microbiome of the healthy controls (n=14).

“There are clear differences in the skin microbiome of healthy controls and AD patients that diminish with treatment,” wrote the study authors, adding that the study also supported DBB as a treatment for AD.

Reference
Khadka VD, Key FM, Romo-González C, et al. The skin microbiome of patients with atopic dermatitis normalizes gradually during treatment. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. Published online September 24, 2021. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2021.720674