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Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition with drastic impacts on pediatric health. The pathogenesis of this common disease is not well understood, and the complex role of the skin microbiome in the pathogenesis and progression of atopic dermatitis is being elucidated. Skin commensal organisms promote normal immune system functions and prevent the colonization of pathogens. Alterations in the skin microbiome may lead to increased Staphylococcus aureus colonization and atopic dermatitis progression. Despite the evidence for their important role, probiotics have not been deemed efficacious for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, although studies suggest that probiotics may be effective at preventing the development of atopic dermatitis when given to young infants. This review will cover the most recent published work on the microbiome and pediatric atopic dermatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Mycobacterium abscessus in cystic fibrosis ( CF) patients is considered a contraindication to lung transplantation. We examine the post-transplant outcomes of CF patients with M. abscessus pre-transplant. Methods CF patients transplanted at the University of North Carolina from 1992 to 2012 were retrospectively examined. Patients with at least one respiratory sample positive for M. abscessus prior to transplantation were included. Data collected included age, FEV1, body mass index ( BMI), systemic steroid use, diabetes mellitus, ventilatory assistance, co-existent CF pathogens, imaging, post-transplant complications, and survival. Results (n = 13) At transplant, mean age was 24.6 yr, mean BMI was 18.1 kg/m2, six had 3+ positive smears for M. abscessus, and three were ventilator dependent. All met American Thoracic Society microbiological criteria for disease pre-transplant. Three patients developed M. abscessus-related complications, with clearance of the organism following treatment. Survival post-transplant shows 77% alive at one yr, 64% at three yr, and 50% at five yr; none died of M. abscessus. The survival data showed no statistically significant difference (p = 0.8) compared with a contemporaneously transplanted population of CF patients without M. abscessus (n = 154). Conclusion Lung transplantation, with favorable survival, is possible in CF patients with M. abscessus. Even if M. abscessus recurs, local control and clearance is possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This longitudinal update on Staphylococcus aureus prevalence and antibiotic resistance patterns surveyd 291 cultures from 188 patients in a pediatric outpatient dermatology clinic with suspected skin and soft tissue infections. The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus remained stable at 24%. Staphylococcus aureus resistance to tetracyclines modestly but demonstrably increased in the interval since 2009. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]