title: Biomarkers of Th2 polarity are predictive of staphylococcal colonization in subjects with atopic dermatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Staphylococcal colonization of the skin is commonly observed in subjects with atopic dermatitis (AD) and correlates with disease severity. Little is known about whether the degree of T-helper 2 (Th2) polarity in these subjects can also affect the frequency of bacterial colonization in this disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine if there is a correlation between markers of Th2 polarity [serum total IgE, eosinophilia and presence of another atopic disease (allergic rhinitis)] and skin colonization with Staphylococcus aureus in subjects with AD.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review was performed of an academic dermatology clinic focused on the treatment of AD with a single provider.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Staphylococcus aureus colonization was more commonly observed in subjects with AD who had peripheral eosinophilia, elevated serum IgE levels, and/or a history of or active allergic rhinitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest that Th2 polarity may enhance subjects' risk for bacterial colonization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Warner
authors.forename: L Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: McGirt
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Beck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016764:Cell Polarity; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology*; D013207:Staphylococcal Skin Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007073:Immunoglobulin E