Staphylococcus aureus and the Cutaneous Microbiota Biofilms in the Pathogenesis of Atopic Dermatitis

Abstract

Biofilm is the dominant mode of growth of the skin microbiota, which promotes adhesion and persistence in the cutaneous microenvironment, thus contributing to the epidermal barrier function and local immune modulation. In turn, the local immune microenvironment plays a part in shaping the skin microbiota composition. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an immune disorder characterized by a marked dysbiosis, with a sharp decline of microbial diversity. During AD flares biofilm-growing Staphylococcus aureus emerges as the major colonizer in the skin lesions, in strict association with disease severity. The chronic production of inflammatory cytokines in the skin of AD individuals concurs at supporting S. aureus biofilm overgrowth at the expense of other microbial commensals, subverting the composition of the healthy skin microbiome. The close relationship between the host and microbial biofilm resident in the skin has profound implications on human health, making skin microbiota an attractive target for the therapeutic management of different skin disorders.

Achillea Species as Sources of Active Phytochemicals for Dermatological and Cosmetic Applications

“…The most important microorganisms causing skin infections include Staphylococcus aureus , partially responsible for atopic dermatitis (AD) symptoms. The degree of colonization significantly correlates with the intensity of the disease [ 54 ]. S. aureus induce superficial infection of the epidermis (impetigo), deep ulcerative skin infections, infection of hair follicles, abscesses, wounds, and ulcers [ 55 ].…”

eDNA-Mediated Cutaneous Protection Against UVB Damage Conferred by Staphylococcal Epidermal Colonization

“…Biofilms are defined as bacterial populations that adhere to each other and/or to a surface and are surrounded by an ECM [ 14 ]. Intriguingly, the topic of matrix composition and morphological properties of cutaneous staphylococci in a healthy, commensal context compared to very well-described pathological states is rarely mentioned in the literature [ 6 , 39 ]. Most publications refer to diseased skin (namely biopsy sample imaging) [ 40 , 41 ], animal or synthetic skin models [ 42 , 43 , 44 ], or clinical isolates cultured in vitro under laboratory conditions [ 45 , 46 ].…”

Vulvar Crohn disease: Diagnostic challenges and approach to therapy

“…Each of our patients developed recurrent Staphylococcus aureus infections that eventuated in cyclical worsening of their vulvar CD. Well-described in atopic dermatitis, cutaneous dysbiosis and the emergence of S. aureus as a dominant skin colonizer both predisposes to infection and modifies disease severity ( Di Domenico et al, 2019 , Paller et al, 2019 ). The host-vulvar microbiome may play a similar role in driving vulvar CD.…”