Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), such as S. epidermidis and S. hominis, are the main staphylococci on healthy skin and on non-lesional skin in most people with eczema. Some strains make antimicrobial substances that kill or block Staphylococcus aureus. Strains from healthy skin can do this more often than strains from eczema skin (Nakatsuji, cited by Edslev 2020). Their role in flares is debated. Kong 2012 found S. epidermidis rose during untreated flares in children, while other paediatric data found no change. The antibiotic fusidic acid also suppresses them.

Connections

• Skin Microbiome — protective commensals, depleted/strain-shifted in AD, source: Edslev 2020; Kong 2012
• Bacteriotherapy — S. hominis A9 used as topical therapy, source: Nakatsuji 2021