Elisabeth B.M. Petersen, Lone Skov, Jacob P. Thyssen, Peter Jensen
DOI: 10.2340/00015555-3008

The immune mechanisms involved in atopic dermatitis (AD) are complex and little is known about the possible role of the gut microbiota in the aetiopathogenesis of AD. A systematic review of the literature was performed according to PRISMA guidelines, and included 44 of 2,199 studies (26 observational and 18 interventional studies). Detection of gut microbiota was performed by either 16s rRNA PCR, or by culture. Observational studies were diverse regarding the age of study participants and the bacterial species investigated. Overall, the results were conflicting with regard to diversity of the gut microbiota, specific bacterial colonization, and subsequent risk of AD. Nearly half of the included interventional studies showed that an altered gut microbial colonization due to use of probiotics had a positive effect on the severity of AD. The remaining studies did not show an effect of probiotics on the severity of AD despite an alteration in the gut microbial composition. The role of the gut microbiome for the onset and severity of pre-existing AD remains controversial.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) a chronic inflammatory skin disease with complex immune mechanisms. Research interest in the role of the intestinal microbiome in the regulation of cell-mediated immune pathways is increasing. We performed a systemic review summarizing studies investigating the role of the gut microbiota in AD. We included 44 studies, 26 observational, and 18 interventional studies. Overall, the results were conflicting. Nearly half of the included interventional studies showed that an altered gut microbial colonization by use of probiotics had a positive effect on the severity of AD. The role of the gut microbiome in AD remains controversial.