Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common complex disease that frequently follows a chronic
relapsing course and affects the quality of life of patients and families in a significant
manner. New insights into the pathophysiology of AD point to an important role of structural
abnormalities in the epidermis combined with immune dysregulation. Patients with AD have
a unique predisposition to colonization or infection by a number of microbial organisms,
most notably Staphylococcus aureus and herpes simplex virus. A multipronged approach …