Abstract
Colonization with Staphylococcal aureus is markedly more frequent in individuals with atopic dermatitis (AD) than in unaffected individuals. Chronic scratching leads to worsening of an existing defect in the epidermal barrier, which can allow S. aureus invasion into the bloodstream and subsequent systemic infections. We report two unusual cases of systemic illness in individuals with AD. One developed infective endocarditis followed by a stroke and the other developed septic arthritis and osteomyelitis. We performed an extensive literature review of reported systemic complications caused by S. aureus in patients with AD. Although reports are rare, practitioners should be aware of these important, albeit unlikely, complications of staphylococcal superinfections in individuals with AD.
© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Age Distribution
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Arthritis, Infectious / epidemiology
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Arthritis, Infectious / etiology
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Arthritis, Infectious / physiopathology
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Bacteremia / epidemiology
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Bacteremia / etiology*
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Bacteremia / physiopathology
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Bacterial Toxins / adverse effects
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Child
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Child, Preschool
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Conjunctivitis / epidemiology
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Conjunctivitis / etiology
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Conjunctivitis / physiopathology
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Dermatitis, Atopic / complications*
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Dermatitis, Atopic / microbiology*
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Dermatitis, Atopic / physiopathology
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Endocarditis, Bacterial / epidemiology
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Endocarditis, Bacterial / etiology
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Endocarditis, Bacterial / physiopathology
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Female
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Humans
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Incidence
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Male
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Pneumonia, Staphylococcal / epidemiology
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Pneumonia, Staphylococcal / etiology
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Pneumonia, Staphylococcal / physiopathology
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Prognosis
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Risk Assessment
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Sex Distribution
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Staphylococcal Infections / complications*
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Staphylococcal Infections / diagnosis
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Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
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United States / epidemiology