Skin Microbiome Dysbiosis in Atopic Dermatitis: The Impact of Staphylococcus aureus and Emerging Bacteriophage Therapy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52340/GBMN.2026.01.01.152Keywords:
Atopic dermatitis, bacteriophages, inflammation, phage therapy, skin microbiome, staphylococcus AureusAbstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease characterized by pruritus, impaired epidermal barrier function, and immune dysregulation. In recent years, mounting evidence has highlighted the critical role of skin microbiome alterations in disease pathogenesis, particularly the overcolonization by Staphylococcus aureus. This bacterium is strongly associated with disease severity, flares, and resistance to conventional therapy through the production of virulence factors that amplify cutaneous inflammation and barrier dysfunction. Traditional antimicrobial strategies, including topical and systemic antibiotics, are limited by the rise in antimicrobial resistance and their detrimental effects on commensal skin flora. In this context, bacteriophages—viruses that selectively infect bacteria—have emerged as a promising, microbiome-sparing therapeutic approach. Bacteriophages targeting S. aureus demonstrate high specificity, the ability to disrupt biofilms, and minimal impact on beneficial microorganisms. This review summarizes the pathogenic role of S. aureus in atopic dermatitis, examines the biological rationale for bacteriophage therapy, and critically evaluates current preclinical and early clinical evidence supporting its use. The key message of this review is that bacteriophage-based therapy represents a novel, targeted strategy that may complement existing treatments and support personalized, microbiome-oriented management of atopic dermatitis.References
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