Longitudinal Real-World Changes in Skin Microbial Ecology in Atopic Dermatitis (AD) and Psoriasis (PS) Patients
Everybody's skin has bacteria that normally lives on it. Previous research has shown that people with eczema (or atopic dermatitis \[AD\]) have much higher concentrations of a certain bacteria (S. aureus), especially when their disease is active but little is known about the role that this bacteria plays in psoriasis (i.e. disease severity, biomarkers and skin barrier function). The overarching purpose of this longitudinal study is to understand how the abundance of skin S. aureus (and several commensal bacteria) change as a consequence of standard of care treatment in the URMC dermatology clinics. Other assays and biospecimens will also be collected to address a number of questions.
• ≥13 to 65 years of age (inclusive) for PS, ≥13 for AD and NA, male or female
• Optional Bx sub study - only adults (18-65 yrs; inclusive only)
• Able to understand protocol and give consent
• Able to keep clinic/study appointments and comply with study related procedures
• Must be able to read, speak, and understand English
• Chronic AD, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Consensus Criteria (Eichenfield 2014), that has been present for at least 1 year before the enrollment visit
• Chronic PS, according to the AAD Consensus Criteria (Menter et al 2008 (section 1)), that has been present for at least 1 year before the enrollment visit.
• AD subjects: have active lesions on upper extremities, lower extremities, or trunk and a total disease severity of high moderate-to-severe (EASI ≥12)
• PS subjects: have active lesions on upper extremities, lower extremities, or trunk and a total disease severity of high moderate-to-severe (PASI ≥7)