Correlation Between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Virulence Genes of Staphylococcus aureus Isolates Colonizing Children with Atopic Dermatitis

The skin of children with atopic dermatitis (AD) is colonized with Staphylococcus aureus more frequently than that of their peers. We investigated the prevalence of skin and nares colonization by S.aureus in children with AD, the virulence genes of the isolates, and their association with allergy, AD severity, and serum vitamin D (25(OH)D). This was an observational, cross-sectional study in a sample of children diagnosed with AD in two settings in Spain. The samples were collected in 2012. Swabs from affected skin and nares were taken for microbiologic culture. The prevalence of S.aureus and presence of 17 staphylococcal virulence genes were studied using polymerase chain reaction. A total of 114 patients with a mean age of 5.7 +/- 4.1 (range 3mos to 14yrs) were included in the study. Swabs were taken from the skin of 113 individuals with AD and from the nares of 85; 28.3% had S.aureus on the skin, which was significantly associated with positive allergen-specific immunoglobulin E antibodies and higher Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) scores in the multivariate analysis. The presence of virulence factors tsst-1, eta, cna, aur, and sec in cutaneous S.aureus isolates was associated with lower serum levels of 25(OH)D. S.aureus on nasal swabs correlated with its presence on the skin and was associated with lower 25(OH)D levels. In conclusion, S.aureus colonization is associated with allergy and severity in AD, whereas certain virulence genes are associated with lower serum 25(OH)D levels.