Comparison of non-invasive Staphylococcus aureus sampling methods on lesional skin in patients with atopic dermatitis - European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases
Source : https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10096-021-04365-5
There is evidence that Staphylococcus aureus colonisation is linked to severity of atopic dermatitis. As no gold standard for S. aureus sampling on atopic dermatitis skin lesions exists, this study compared three commonly used methods. In addition, effectiveness of standard skin disinfection to remove S. aureus colonisation from these inflamed skin lesions was investigated.
The obtained data highlight the importance of the selected sampling method and consecutive S. aureus selection agar plates to implement further clinical studies for the effectiveness of topical anti-staphylococcal antibiotics. Other disinfection regimes should be considered in atopic dermatitis patients when complete de-colonisation of certain skin areas is required, e.g. for surgical procedures.
• Source: European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Disease
• Conclusion/Relevance: “The obtained data highlight the importance of the selected sampling method and consecutive S. aureus selection agar plates to implement further clinical studies for the effectiveness of topical anti-staphylococcal antibiotics. Other disinfection regimes should be considered in atopic dermatitis patients when complete de-colonisation of certain skin areas is required, e.g. for surgical procedures.”
• In the current study, researchers assessed the most sensitive method for qualitative and quantitative identification of living S. aureus on skin lesions from patients with atopic dermatitis. Of note, these patients harbored naïve and disinfected skin. The researchers also studied the sensitivity of two different S. aureus selection agars for detecting S. aureus and the effectiveness of common skin disinfection to remove S. aureus from AD skin lesions.
• The investigators found that the highest sensitivity to detect S. aureus culture based on AD skin lesions and the persistence of S. aureus after disinfection was demonstrated with the detergent-based methods plus with the SAID selection agar
• “As expected,” wrote the authors, “the DS [detergent-scrubbing] method was highly effective to collect quantitative S. aureus from skin as has already been demonstrated by its widespread use for research purposes. However, it was the most complex sampling method studied in our series. In addition, it was slightly unpleasant for the patient due to the necessary firm rubbing with a Teflon policeman for 1 min at the sensitive AD skin lesion as compared to the others.”
• According to the researchers, this work is of importance with respect to future clinical studies of topical anti-staphylococcal agents to determine antimicrobial activity and routine clinical use.