Atopic Dermatitis: a Disease of Altered Skin Barrier and Immune Dysregulation

Overview

Journal Immunol Rev

Specialties Allergy & Immunology
General Surgery

Date 2011 Jun 21

PMID 21682749

Citations 344

Authors

Mark Boguniewicz

Donald Y M Leung

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an important chronic or relapsing inflammatory skin disease that often precedes asthma and allergic disorders. New insights into the genetics and pathophysiology of AD point to an important role of structural abnormalities in the epidermis as well as immune dysregulation not only for this skin disease but also for the development of asthma and allergies. Patients with AD have a unique predisposition to colonization or infection by microbial organisms, most notably Staphylococcus aureus and herpes simplex virus. Measures directed at healing and protecting the skin barrier and addressing the immune dysregulation are essential in the treatment of patients with AD, and early intervention may improve outcomes for both the skin disease as well as other target organs.

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