Shared signatures and divergence in skin microbiomes of children with atopic dermatitis and their caregivers

Page view(s)
24
Checked on Jan 24, 2025
Shared signatures and divergence in skin microbiomes of children with atopic dermatitis and their caregivers
Title:
Shared signatures and divergence in skin microbiomes of children with atopic dermatitis and their caregivers
Journal Title:
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Publication Date:
19 March 2022
Citation:
Chia, M., Naim, A. N. M., Tay, A. S. L., Lim, K., Chew, K. L., Yow, S. J., Chen, J., Common, J. E. A., Nagarajan, N., & Tham, E. H. (2022). Shared signatures and divergence in skin microbiomes of children with atopic dermatitis and their caregivers. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 150(4), 894–908. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2022.01.031
Abstract:
Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic skin condition in children (15-20%) that can significantly impair their quality of life. As a result of its relapsing nature and enrichment of Staphylococcus aureus during flares, clinical management can include eradicating S aureus from the skin of children; however, this does not extend to their healthy caregivers, who are potential reservoirs. Objective: Our aim was to understand skin microbiome sharing and microbial features in children with AD and their healthy adult caregivers. Methods: We utilized whole-metagenome profiling at 4 body sites (volar forearm, antecubital fossae, cheeks, and lesions) in combination with sequencing of S aureus isolates to characterize a cohort of children with AD and their healthy caregivers (n = 30 families) compared to matched pairs from control households (n = 30 families). Results: Metagenomic analysis revealed distinct microbiome configurations in the nonlesional skin of AD children and their healthy caregivers versus controls, which were sufficient to accurately predict case-control status (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve > 0.8). These differences were accompanied by significant microbiome similarity between children and their caregivers, indicating that microbiome sharing may play a role in recurrent disease flares. Whole-genome comparisons with high-quality S aureus isolate genomes (n = 55) confirmed significant strain sharing between AD children and their caregivers and AD-specific enrichment of strains expressing enterotoxins Q and K/K2. Conclusion: Our results highlight the distinctive skin microbiome features of healthy caregivers for children with AD and support their inclusion in strategies for the treatment of recurrent pediatric AD.
License type:
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
Funding Info:
This research / project is supported by the National Medical Research Council (NMRC) - Research Training fellowship
Grant Reference no. : MH 095:003\008-225

This research / project is supported by the National Medical Research Council (NMRC) - transition award
Grant Reference no. : MOH-000269

This research / project is supported by the A*STAR BMRC EDB - IAF-PP - Asian Skin Microbiome Program
Grant Reference no. : H18/01/a0/016

This research is supported by core funding from: A*STAR Graduate Academy
Grant Reference no. : NA

This research / project is supported by the Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, National University of Singapore - Global Health Research and Technology (BIGHEART) Joint Research Grant 2018
Grant Reference no. : NA

This research was supported by grant funding from the National University Health System Leadership in Academic Medicine program (PFFR September 2016); Master of Clinical Investigation.
Description:
ISSN:
0091-6749
Collections:
Files uploaded:

File Size Format Action
chia-et-al-caregivers-oar.pdf 1.86 MB PDF Open