Correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and methicillin - resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin colonization in atopic dermatitis

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Bacterial infection with Staphylococcus aureus is a common complication of atopic dermatitis (AD) and involved in the worsening of this disease. Recent studies have revealed an increasing prevalence of community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) among patients with AD and the role of vitamin D in the immunopathogenesis of AD. We carried out a study to see whether levels of vitamin D correlate with MRSA skin colonization in AD. METHODS: Total 60 patients with AD aged between 3 months and 6 years old were enrolled. We measured disease severity using the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index, serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), total immunoglobulin E levels, eosinophil cationic protein and bacterial colonization by skin swab and culture method. RESULTS: S. aureus was cultured in 20 patients of the total (33.3%). MRSA was comprised 35% of the S. aureus-positive group. SCORAD value was significantly higher in S. aureus-positive group. Serum levels (mean+/-standard deviation) of 25(OH)D were lower in MRSA group (22.6+/-11.5 ng/mL) compared with those of methicillin-sensitive S. aureus group (31.3+/-10.2 ng/mL) or S. aureus negative group (34.3+/-15.8 ng/mL). But there was no statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that the serum levels of 25(OH)D were lower in MRSA group. But there was no statistically significant difference. Therefore further studies including large numbers of cases are necessary.