THE ROLE OF THE SKIN MICROBIOME IN ATOPIC DERMATITIS: NEW THERAPEUTIC PERSPECTIVES
Abstract
Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by intense pruritus and eczematous lesions. Its pathogenesis is increasingly linked to a profound dysbiosis of the skin microbiome, notably the overabundance of Staphylococcus aureus. Objective: This review synthesizes the current understanding of the skin microbiome's role in AD pathogenesis and critically evaluates emerging microbiome-targeted therapeutic strategies. Main Body: The review highlights that the AD skin microenvironment is characterized by a significant reduction in microbial diversity and the pathogenic dominance of S. aureus, which contributes to barrier dysfunction and inflammation. Consequently, therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring eubiosis—including the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and skin microbiota transplantation—are emerging as promising approaches to disease management. Conclusion: Targeting the skin microbiome represents a paradigm shift in dermatology, offering a novel and promising frontier for developing more effective, personalized, and long-lasting treatments for atopic dermatitis.
Keywords
atopic dermatitis, skin microbiome, Staphylococcus aureus, dysbiosis, therapeutic strategies, probiotics.
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