Severe atopic dermatitis is associated with a high burden of environmental staphylococcus aureus.

About 90% of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) are colonized with Staphylococcus aureus. S. aureus worsens AD by secreting superantigens and structural molecules within the cell wall that induce skin inflammation. Participants with mild (n=18), moderate (n=14), severe (n=15), and no AD (n=15), collected dust from their bed and bedroom floor, and from their home vacuum cleaner bag. DNA was extracted from dust samples, and the S. aureus-specific femB gene was quantified using quantitative real-time PCR. 0.0684). The conclusion was that in the home and especially the bedroom, higher levels of S. aureus may contribute to disease severity and persistence in AD patients. Clinical & Experimental Allergy. 2008;38(5):789-93.