Atopic disease in relation to Staphylococcus aureus carriage and spa type distribution in a subarctic adult population

Abstract

Atopic diseases are common, and the atopic epidemic has ravaged through the westernized countries and is heading for the developing countries too. Despite being a common disease, however, treatment and diagnostic options are still lacking. The immune system and development of atopic disease are interconnected with the environment through exposures or lack thereof. The microbiota of the mucosal membranes and skin throughout the body have been purposed serving a sentinel role in this interplay. In this study, we investigated if atopic disease is associated with Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization and carriage in adults. Furthermore, we wanted to test whether the distribution of S. aureus spa types differs in adults with atopic disease compared to adults without atopic disease in a general population of men and women.