Consequences of colonization and infection by Staphylococcus aureus in atopic dermatitis

The high carriage rate of Staphylacoccus aureus and the dense colonization of the skin of patients with atopic dermatitis has been confirmed in British patients; clinical infection is apparent at lower densities of staphylococci than recorded elsewhere. Staphylococcal folliculitis was seen in 16 of 45 patients admitted to hospital for treatment. Phage typing revealed that all phage groups may occur on lesions. Comparison between the phage types and antibiograms of the staphylococci in the carrier sites with those on the lesions of dermatitis and in the pustules suggests that, in general, the bacteria are the same although infection with other strains of staphylococci occurs. During therapy directed at the atopic dermatitis, the staphylococci are greatly reduced in number.