<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p><italic>Staphylococcus aureus</italic> colonizes the mucous membrane of the nasal vestibule of a significant number of healthy people. These microorganisms are opportunistic pathogens, that in favorable conditions, may cause infections of various course, location or manifestation. Secondary infections emerge in cases when other risk factors contribute to such a change. One of the diseases during which <italic>S. aureus</italic> changes its saprophytic character to a pathogenic one is atopic dermatitis (AD), an allergic skin condition of a chronic and recurrent nature. Patients with AD are highly predisposed to secondary staphylococcal infections due to active <italic>S. aureus</italic> colonization of the <italic>stratum corneum</italic>, damage of the skin barrier or a defective immune response. Microorganisms present in skin lesions destroy the tissue by secreting enzymes and toxins, and additionally stimulate secondary allergic reactions. The toxins secreted by strains of <italic>S. aureus</italic> also act as superantigens and penetrate the skin barrier contributing to a chronic inflammation of the atopic skin lesions. The <italic>S. aureus</italic> species also releases proinflam- matory proteins, including enzymes that cause tissue damage. When initiating treatment it is particularly important to properly assess that the onset of the secondary bacterial infection is caused by <italic>S. aureus</italic> and thus justifying the inclusion of antibiotic therapy. Depending on the severity and extent of the staphylococcal infection, topical antibiotics are used, usually mupirocin or fusidic acid, or general antibiotic treatment is introduced. Another therapeutic strategy without antibiotics has given a positive effect in patients.</p></abstract>

Staphylococcus aureus colonizes the mucous membrane of the nasal vestibule of a significant number of healthy people. These microorganisms are opportunistic pathogens, that in favorable conditions, may cause infections of various course, location or manifestation. Secondary infections emerge in cases when other risk factors contribute to such a change. One of the diseases during which S. aureus changes its saprophytic character to a pathogenic one is atopic dermatitis (AD), an allergic skin condition of a chronic and recurrent nature. Patients with AD are highly predisposed to secondary staphylococcal infections due to active S. aureus colonization of the stratum corneum, damage of the skin barrier or a defective immune response. Microorganisms present in skin lesions destroy the tissue by secreting enzymes and toxins, and additionally stimulate secondary allergic reactions. The toxins secreted by strains of S. aureus also act as superantigens and penetrate the skin barrier contributing to a chronic inflammation of the atopic skin lesions. The S. aureus species also releases proinflam- matory proteins, including enzymes that cause tissue damage. When initiating treatment it is particularly important to properly assess that the onset of the secondary bacterial infection is caused by S. aureus and thus justifying the inclusion of antibiotic therapy. Depending on the severity and extent of the staphylococcal infection, topical antibiotics are used, usually mupirocin or fusidic acid, or general antibiotic treatment is introduced. Another therapeutic strategy without antibiotics has given a positive effect in patients.

The Role of <italic>Staphylococcus aureus</italic> in Secondary Infections in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis (AD)

Polish Journal of Microbiology

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The Role of  in Secondary Infections in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis (AD)

Staphylococcus aureus colonizes the mucous membrane of the nasal vestibule of a significant number of healthy people. These microorganisms are opportunistic...

The Role of Staphylococcus aureus in Secondary Infections in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis (AD)

Published Online: Aug 26, 2016

Page range: 253 - 259

Received: Feb 26, 2016

Accepted: Apr 11, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5604/17331331.1215600

Keywords
atopic dermatitis (AD), opportunistic infections, secondary staphylococcal infections, skin lesions

© 2016 ANETA BUDA et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The Role of Staphylococcus aureus in Secondary Infections in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis (AD)

Published Online: Aug 26, 2016

Page range: 253 - 259

Received: Feb 26, 2016

Accepted: Apr 11, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5604/17331331.1215600

Keywordsatopic dermatitis (AD), opportunistic infections, secondary staphylococcal infections, skin lesions

© 2016 ANETA BUDA et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
atopic dermatitis (AD), opportunistic infections, secondary staphylococcal infections, skin lesions