The adherence of Staphylococcus aureus to human corneocytes

•Staphylococcus aureushas a peculiar ability to colonize the skin of patients with atopic dermatitis. We examined the possibility that this might be due to a specific ability of this pathogenic staphylococcus to adhere to atopic stratum corneum. We used an in vitro model to show thatS aureusdoes have an unusual ability to adhere to atopic corneocytes when compared with corneocytes obtained from patients with other cutaneous diseases, including psoriasis. Protein A—a component of the staphylococcal cell wall—may be responsible in part for this adherence phenomenon. This trait did not extend to the other gram-positive bacteria tested. (Arch Dermatol1986;122:166-169)