Interactions between Host Immunity and Skin-Colonizing Staphylococci: No Two Siblings Are Alike

Abstract

As the outermost layer of the body, the skin harbors innumerable and varied microorganisms. These microorganisms interact with the host, and these interactions contribute to host immunity. One of the most abundant genera of skin commensals is Staphylococcus. Bacteria belonging to this genus are some of the most influential commensals that reside on the skin. For example, colonization by Staphylococcus aureus, a well-known pathogen, increases inflammatory responses within the skin. Conversely, colonization by Staphylococcus epidermis, a coagulase-negative staphylococcal species that are prevalent throughout the skin, can be innocuous or beneficial. Thus, manipulating the abundance of these two bacterial species likely alters the skin microbiome and modulates the cutaneous immune response, with potential implications for various inflammation-associated skin diseases. Importantly, before researchers can begin manipulating the skin microbiome to prevent and treat disease, they must first fully understand how these two species can modulate the cutaneous immune response. In this review, we discuss the nature of the interactions between these two bacterial species and immune cells within the skin, discussing their immunogenicity within the context of skin disorders.

Phenotypic and genotypic virulence features of staphylococcal strains isolated from difficult-to-treat skin and soft tissue infections

“…Staphylococcus spp. are generally considered commensal bacteria [ 1 , 2 ]. However, under immunosuppression or other conditions, they can produce skin and soft tissue, acute or chronic infections, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, endocarditis, implantable device associated infections, and other diseases [ 3 ].…”

Microbiota and Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases—An Overview

“…The prevalence of S. aureus is increased in patients with AD, especially within lesional skin. This was shown in a meta-analysis, which included 91 observational studies in AD patients, where colonization with S. aureus was greater in lesional (70%) compared with non-lesional skin (39%) or nasal mucosa (62%) [94,95].…”

Evolving concepts and emerging solutions to the problem of staphylococcal infection in dermatology

“…Однако в отношении S. epidermidis в последние годы высказываются мнения, противоречащие его «положительной оценке» как безвредного или даже «полезного» комменсала кожи. Обладая набором сходных с S. aureus факторов агрессии и триггеров воспаления, S. epidermidis может проявлять защитные свойства не всегда, а лишь находясь в особом «контексте»: сбалансированной среде микробиома кожи при неповрежденном эпидермальном барьере и вне воспаления [30,31]. Эти условия могут не соблюдаться при хронических воспалительных дерматозах, таких, как атопический дерматит.…”