in understanding how the immune response works in cases of eczema caused by the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium. They have also identified new cellular targets for a vaccine.
to better understand the role of the immune system in eczema caused by Staphylococcus aureus, and our research has uncovered potential targets for a vaccine,” said the researchers. Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, affects many children in Ireland and can result in itchy, dry skin and open wounds if bacteria are involved. These infections can have severe effects on the lives of patients and their families, and in rare cases can even be life-threatening.for new ways to treat and prevent eczema flare-ups in children. Current methods have limited success and even when they do work, the relief is often temporary as symptoms tend to come back. While antibiotics are necessary in some cases, scientists are working hard to find alternative options because of the growing issue of antimicrobial resistance,” said Dr Julianne Clowry, Consultant Dermatologist, Visiting Research Fellow at Trinity, and lead author of the study.
“Given these factors, a tailored vaccine is an appealing option as it could help limit the recurrence of symptoms and reduce the need for antibiotics.The seriousness of eczema can lead to improved and longer-lasting outcomes, as well as a reduction in the need for antibiotics. This can also lower the risk of complications and the potential development of other atopic diseases like hayfever and asthma.
Researchers from Trinity’s Schools of Medicine, Computer Science, and Statistics, as well as from Biochemistry and Immunology, discovered important “immune signatures” in children with eczema flare-ups. Identifying these signatures gives them specific new targets, which is valuable from a theoretical vaccine design perspective.
They worked with 93 children aged between 0 andIn a study conducted by the researchers, immune responses were compared among three groups of patients: those with eczema and a confirmed S. aureus skin infection, those with eczema but no S. aureus skin infection, and a healthy group of volunteers. The main finding of the study was that the proportions of certain immune cells known as “T cells,” as well as other biomarkers, varied significantly among the different groups. T cells have various functions in the immune response, helping to regulate the body’s response to infections. This discovery underscores the importance of the immune response in individuals with eczema and S. aureus skin infection.Impacted in those with infected flares of eczema — with the suppression of some of the important T cells that drive an effective immune response. These findings provide an early blueprint in developing future therapies which could provide targeted effective relief from recurrent flares of eczema.
Alan Irvine, Professor of Dermatology at Trinity, said: “While an interaction between the Staphylococcus aureus bug and eczema has been known for many decades, novel scientific approaches are continuing to make key discoveries about the complex relationship between these bacteria and human responses to it. Our work outlines new disc
The research conducted by Trinity College Dublin has discovered concerning findings regarding how children with eczema react immunologically to infection with this widespread bacterium. Rachel McLoughlin, a Professor in Immunology at Trinity and the senior author of the study, emphasized that the study revealed a general trend of immune suppression linked to infected eczema flare-ups. This suppression leads to a decrease in specific T cells that play a crucial role in initiating an effective immune response. Further research is necessary to expand the scope of these results by including a larger and more diverse sample size to confirm the consistency of the patterns identified among different age groups.Different T cell signatures are linked to sub-groups with greater ethnic diversity. “We believe that gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the immune response to the bacteria S. aureus in eczema has the potential to significantly change treatment approaches and make a major impact in the management of eczema.
