Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
12:18

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Published on: February 9, 2011

Frequency and clinical role of Staphylococcus aureus overinfection in atopic dermatitis in children

Giampaolo Ricci1, Annalisa Patrizi, Iria Neri

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Dermatology, University of Bologna, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy. ricci@med.unibo.it

Pediatric Dermatology
|October 3, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Staphylococcus aureus infection is common in children with atopic dermatitis (AD), affecting over 64%. This bacterial presence is linked to more severe eczema, especially in allergic children and infants.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin condition.
  • The role of Staphylococcus aureus in AD pathogenesis requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the frequency of Staphylococcus aureus infection in pediatric patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.
  • To investigate the association between S. aureus colonization and allergic status in children with AD.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 308 cutaneous lesion samples from 81 children (2 months to 9 years) with moderate to severe AD.
  • Isolation and identification of bacterial and fungal pathogens.
  • Measurement of total and specific IgE serum levels to assess allergic status.

Main Results:

  • Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 52 children (64.2%).
  • S. aureus was more prevalent in allergic children (71%) compared to non-allergic children (49%).
  • Higher bacterial presence correlated with worsened eczematous lesions in infants.

Conclusions:

  • Staphylococcus aureus plays a significant role in the clinical manifestation of atopic dermatitis.
  • The bacterium exacerbates eczema, particularly on the face, neck, and perineum in infants.
  • Targeting S. aureus may be crucial for managing AD in pediatric populations.

Related Concept Videos

Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
Acne Infection01:27

Acne Infection

Acne is a multifactorial skin condition primarily affecting adolescents and young adults, with a global prevalence estimated to exceed 75% in this demographic. The condition is characterized by the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules, pustules, nodules, and, in severe cases, cysts, particularly in areas rich in sebaceous glands such as the face, neck, chest, and back. The pathogenesis involves increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, colonization by...
Allergic Drug Reactions01:27

Allergic Drug Reactions

Allergic reactions related to drugs are hypersensitivity responses driven by the immune system and bear no connection to the drug's therapeutic action. While drugs in isolation do not trigger an immune response, they can interact with endogenous proteins to form antigens. These antigens stimulate lymphocytes to produce antibodies. IgE-type antibodies attach themselves to mast cells. Upon subsequent exposure to the same stimulus, the antigen-antibody interaction is initiated, unleashing numerous...
Hypersensitivities01:30

Hypersensitivities

Hypersensitivity, also known as a hypersensitivity reaction or allergic reaction, is a condition where the body's immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance. Such substances, that cause hypersensitivity are referred to as an allergen, could be something typically harmless to most people, like pollen or certain foods.
Types of Hypersensitivities
Hypersensitivity reactions are categorized into four types: Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, and Type 4. Each type has a distinct mechanism...
Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions01:30

Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions

Drug-related allergies are immune-mediated responses triggered by the administration of pharmacological agents. These hypersensitivity reactions are classified based on the immune mechanisms involved. The four primary types—Type I, II, III, and IV—are mediated by different immunological pathways and exhibit distinct clinical manifestations.Type I Hypersensitivity/ IgE-Mediated Reactions: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) immediately mediates Type I hypersensitivity reactions. Upon initial exposure to a...