Staphylococcus aureus Implicated as Central Driver of Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis

A comprehensive literature analysis presented at the South Beach Symposium identified Staphylococcus aureus as a key contributor to pediatric atopic dermatitis (AD) pathogenesis, extending beyond disease exacerbation to underlying inflammation and pruritus.

The review, by Lawrence A. Schachner, MD, FAAD, FAAP, et al, highlighted multiple mechanisms by which S. aureus promotes AD, including IL-36 induction, protease-mediated itch signaling, immune dysregulation, and epidermal barrier disruption. Increased bacterial burden was associated with worsening disease severity and reduced microbial diversity.

The authors emphasized that no current AD therapies directly target S. aureus–driven inflammatory pathways and that conventional antibiotics have shown limited long-term benefit due to resistance and recurrence.

According to the poster, effective management of S. aureus remains an unmet need in pediatric AD, warranting the development of targeted antimicrobial or immunomodulatory strategies that address both inflammation and pruritus.

“Management of S. aureus remains a highly unmet need, and a new therapeutic is needed to comprehensively treat AD,” the authors concluded.