The association between sensitization to inhalant allergens and skin colonization with alpha- toxin-producing Staphylococcus aureus in 127 atopic dermatitis (AD) outpatients (aged 14-65 years) was investigated. These patients were receiving standard antiinflammatory and antiseptic treatments. Forty-eight of 127 patients (37.7%) were colonized with S. aureus and experienced more severe AD, had asthma and showed higher sensitization levels to birch and timothy grass pollen versus noncolonized patients. Thirty of the 48 patients (62.5%) produced alpha-toxin from S. aureus-colonizing strains and had higher levels of total and specific immunoglobulin E to aeroallergens. Patients with a higher T helper 2 polarization may be more likely to produce alpha-toxin-producing S. aureus strains (Wichmann, k. et al. Br J ...