Changes in Lesional and Non-lesional Skin Microbiome During Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Microbiology
• Genetics

Background:

• Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition.
• The skin microbiome plays a crucial role in skin health and disease.
• Understanding microbial changes during treatment is vital for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate alterations in the skin surface microbiome of atopic dermatitis patients during treatment.
• To assess the impact of narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy on the skin microbiome and eczema severity.
• To correlate microbial changes with clinical outcomes and eczema severity.

Main Methods:

• 18 patients with atopic dermatitis were enrolled.
• Participants were divided into two groups: narrowband UVB phototherapy plus topical corticosteroid, or topical corticosteroid alone.
• Skin swabs were collected at three time points for high-throughput sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA bacterial genes.

Main Results:

• Treatment led to a significant increase in microbial diversity on lesional skin.
• A notable decrease in the proportion of Staphylococcus aureus was observed post-treatment.
• Staphylococcus aureus proportion positively correlated with eczema severity.

Conclusions:

• Eczema treatment promotes greater microbial diversity and reduces Staphylococcus aureus colonization.
• Narrowband UVB phototherapy did not show additive benefits for eczema improvement but may reduce recurrence.
• Targeting the skin microbiome could be a promising therapeutic strategy for atopic dermatitis.