Abstract: Objective To determine the potential impact of superantigens produced by skin-colonizing Staphylococcus aureus in patients with atopic dermatitis and eczema. Methods Of 117 patients with atopic dermatitis and 199 with eczema, 140 Staphylococcus aureus strains were isolated from the skin specimens. Superantigens were detected with reverse passive latex agglutination. Results Among 140 Staphylococcus aureus strains, 60 (42.9%) produced superantigens, among which 43 produced one kind of superantigens only and 17 produced at least two kinds. Of strains isolated from atopic dermatitis, 51.5% produced superantigens and no significant difference was seen in superantigen production between lesional and non-lesional strains in atopic dermatitis. Of strains isolated from eczema patients, 34.7% (all were lesional strains) produced superantigens. The positive rates of total superantigens, lesional superantigens and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 production were all higher in the strains from atopic dermatitis than in those from eczema. Conclusions Superantigen production by skin-colonizing Staphylococcus aureus probably plays a more important role in atopic dermatitis than that in eczema. However, further studies are necessary to validate its importance.

Key words: Dermatitis, atopic, Eczema, Staphylococcus aureus, Superantigens