Emollient Treatment Improves Skin Microbiome in Atopic Dermatitis

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Sophie Seite, PhD La-Roche-Possy Dermatological Laboratories Asnières, France

Dr. Sophie Seite

Sophie Seite, PhD
La-Roche-Posay Dermatological Laboratories
Asnières, France

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Dr. Seite: These studies were performed in order to confirm the previous results published by H. Kong et al showing that the skin microbiota of atopic dermatitis patients was less diversified and presented an overabundance of S. aureus in comparison to healthy subjects. Because each of us has a specific skin microbiota (huge inter-individual variation) we performed an intra-individual design protocol in order to compare the microbiome of a lesional skin area to those of a non-lesional adjacent area. This strategy showed that the skin diversity in AD patients was reduced in non-lesional area and even more in lesional area and that not only Staphylococcus aureus is overabundant but also Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus haemolyticus. Furthermore, for the first time the effect of a topical treatment on the skin microbiome was evaluated. Prebiotic strategies using thermal spring water or biomass lysate of nonpathogenic bacteria demonstrated their efficiency for a long term management of AD patients through an action on the skin microbiome.

MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Dr. Seite: These studies showed the effect of an emollient prescription in monotherapy or adjunctive therapy for AD patients not only for restoring the skin barrier function but also for managing the skin microbiome dysbiosis. The knowledge of the skin microbiome opens new fields for dermatological treatments of chronic skin diseases and for efficient skin care management of patients and healthy subjects. Prebiotic and Probiotic approaches are the future of new dermatology.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr. Seite: More studies are necessary in order to evaluate the skin microbiome in cutaneous skin diseases (not just AD but also psoriasis, acne, rosacea…). Studies on the impact of the drug therapy on our skin microbiota are also necessary and development of prebiotic and probiotic strategies have to be developed.

MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Dr. Seite:
A new area of research in dermatology is now open with great opportunity for young researchers …

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Abstract presented at the March 2016 American Academy of Dermatology:
Response of skin microbiome to emollient treatment in patients with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Sophie Seite, Christian Oresajo

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More Medical Research Interviews on MedicalResearch.com

Sophie Seite (2016). Emollient Treatment Improves Skin Microbiome in Atopic Dermatitis 

Last Updated on March 10, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD