Abstract: Staphylococcus aureus colonization is common in atopic dermatitis (AD) and can exacerbate the disease. Additionally, some evidence shows that patients with AD may act as reservoirs for S. aureus transmission to others. This study compared S. aureus colonization in AD patients and their caregivers with control patients and their caregivers. Quantitative cultures were obtained from the lesions, clinically normal skin, hands, and anterior nares of 100 patients with AD, 100 controls with other cutaneous disorders, and 200 caregivers. AD patients had a significantly greater carriage of S. aureus from lesional and clinically normal skin as well as the hand. Significant increases in carriage of S. aureus were found in the anterior nares and hands of caregivers of AD patients compared with control caregivers. Topical corticosteroid use did not affect recovery of S. aureus . There was a significant correlation between recovery of S. aureus from lesional skin and recovery from the anterior nares (p = .002) and hands (p < .0001). These findings suggest that the anterior nares and the hands may be important reservoirs and vectors for transmission of S. aureus to lesional skin and to close contacts of these patients.
The pediatrician should search carefully in a child with chest pain for evi dence in the history or physical examination of an organic cause. Hemothorax is one of the pathologic processes that can present with this symptom. The dif ferential diagnosis of hemothorax in children is reviewed.
Impaired skin integrity in patients with Netherton syndrome (NS) results in significant systemic absorption of topically applied medications. Some have advocated the administration of pimecrolimus, 1%, topical cream for the treatment of patients with NS. Insufficient data exist with regard to its safety, systemic absorption, and efficacy.
Observations
An exploratory study was conducted involving 3 children with NS who received twice-daily application of pimecrolimus, 1%, cream over 18 months. There were no notable abnormalities in hematologic or chemistry profiles. Blood levels of pimecrolimus ranged from 0.625 to 7.08 ng/mL, with peak levels reached during the first month in all 3 patients. Dramatic reductions were observed in the Netherton Area and Severity Assessment, Eczema Area and Severity Index, Investigator Global Evaluation of Disease, and pruritus scores compared with baseline levels.
Conclusions
Use of pimecrolimus, 1%, cream was well tolerated and demonstrated marked improvements in nearly all of the parameters evaluated. Patients treated with pimecrolimus responded rapidly, within the first month of treatment, and improvement persisted throughout the study period. In adult patients receiving oral pimecrolimus, blood levels as high as 54 ng/mL for 3 months have not shown clinically significant immunosuppression. Absorption of pimecrolimus, 1%, cream was detectable, but levels were much lower than expected even when applied to 50% of total body surface area. Larger studies are warranted to determine the safety and efficacy of pimecrolimus, 1%, cream in the treatment of NS.
Staphylococcus aureus colonization is common in atopic dermatitis (AD) and can exacerbate the disease. Some patients with atopic dermatitis may act as a reservoir for S. aureus transmission to others. This study compared S. aureus colonization in atopic dermatitis patients and their caregivers with control patients and their caregivers. Quantitative cultures were obtained from the lesions, clinically normal skin, hands, and anterior nares of 100 patients with atopic dermatitis, 100 controls with other cutaneous disorders, and 200 caregivers. The AD patients had significantly greater presence of S. aureus from lesional and clinically normal skin, as well as the hand. Significantly increased carriage of S. aureus was found in the anterior nares of caretakers of AD patients compared with control caretakers. Topical corticosteroid use did not affect recovery of S. aureus. There was a significant correlation between recovery of S. aureus from lesional skin and recovery from the anterior nares and hands. The nares and hands may be important reservoirs and vectors for autotransmission of S. aureus to lesional skin and for transmission to patients with AD.
