Identification of Skin-associated Microbiota in Atopic Dermatitis Patients Undergoing Systemic Therapy

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are exploring the role of the skin microbiome in moderate to severe atopic dermatitis and how systemic therapies like biologics or Janus kinase inhibitors might change the skin's microbial balance. The goal is to better understand whether changes in skin bacteria cause or result from skin inflammation and to develop new ways to measure disease severity. This observational study is led by Charite University in Berlin, Germany. Participants include patients starting systemic treatment with drugs such as dupilumab, cyclosporine, or baricitinib. Patients will be followed for two years with routine quarterly visits, including a special follow-up six weeks after therapy begins. The study involves collecting blood samples to analyze inflammatory markers and genetic factors, along with skin swabs to examine the microbiome. During the study, researchers will compare skin microbial composition with blood biomarkers and disease severity scores over one and two years. Non-invasive skin and blood tests will be done regularly, and all samples will be anonymized and stored securely for five years after the study. Participants will attend scheduled visits for assessments but will experience no changes to their usual care beyond study procedures.

Microbiome in Atopic Dermatitis Under Systemic Therapy