Faecal microbiota and secretory immunogloblin a levels in adult patients with atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Recent studies of intestinal microbiota have indicated the possibility that Enterobacteriaceae are associated with atopic diseases in infants. The aim of this study was to determine faecal microbiota and faecal secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels in adult patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and to compare them with those of healthy adults. Faeces from 11 adult AD patients (3 males and 8 females, average age 28.6 years) and 14 healthy adults (12 males and 2 females, average age 27.1 years) were studied. Total counts of bacteria and anaerobic bacteria in AD patients were significantly (p < 0.01) smaller than those in healthy adults. Although proportions of the predominant bacteria in total bacteria were almost the same in both groups, those of Enterobacteriaceae were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in AD patients than in healthy adults, as well as atopic infant patients. AD patients had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher incidence of moulds than the healthy adults. AD patients had significantly (p < 0.05) more sIgA content in their faeces than healthy adults. This study indicated the possibility that an imbalance of the intestinal environment centred on the Enterobacteriaceae may be involved in AD.