title: The infectious aspects of atopic dermatitis.
abstract: Atopic dermatitis is characterized by Staphylococcus aureus colonization and recurrent skin infections. In addition to an increased risk of invasive infections by herpes simplex or vaccinia viruses, there is ample evidence that microbial pathogens, particularly S aureus and fungi, contribute to the cutaneous inflammation of atopic dermatitis. The authors describe recent developments in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis in relation to the role of microbial pathogens. Understanding how microbial pathogens interact or evade the cutaneous immunity of atopic dermatitis may be crucial in preventing infections or cutaneous inflammation in this disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Boulevard, MS #75, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA.
authors.forename: Peck Y
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: Donald Y M
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Leung
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D057131:Immune Evasion; D051192:Receptors, Pattern Recognition / Q000276:immunology; D012008:Recurrence; D013207:Staphylococcal Skin Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D018089:Superantigens / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D051192:Receptors, Pattern Recognition; D018089:Superantigens