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Vitamin D sufficiency and Staphylococcus aureus infection in children

Jeffrey W Wang1, Patrick G Hogan, David A Hunstad

  • 1From the *Department of Pediatrics and †Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|April 11, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Children with low vitamin D levels are more prone to recurrent Staphylococcus aureus skin infections. Ensuring vitamin D sufficiency may help reduce the frequency of these common bacterial infections.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Vitamin D plays a role in immune function.
  • Antimicrobial peptides like LL-37 are crucial for fighting bacterial infections.
  • Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of skin and soft tissue infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between vitamin D levels and Staphylococcus aureus skin infections in children.
  • To explore the potential role of vitamin D sufficiency in preventing recurrent S. aureus infections.

Main Methods:

  • The study analyzed vitamin D levels (25-hydroxyvitamin D) in children.
  • Infection history, specifically primary versus recurrent S. aureus skin or soft tissue infections, was assessed.

Main Results:

  • Children with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D <30 ng/mL) showed a higher likelihood of recurrent S. aureus skin infections.
  • A correlation was observed between lower vitamin D status and increased frequency of S. aureus infections.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin D deficiency is linked to an increased risk of recurrent Staphylococcus aureus skin infections in children.
  • Maintaining vitamin D sufficiency may be a modifiable factor to reduce the incidence of S. aureus skin and soft tissue infections.

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