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project details

Canadian Patient-Oriented Dermatitis database and biobank (C-POD)

McGill University
5 Sites
ON, QC, BC

Dr. Carolyn Jack

Position: Member

Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as atopic eczema, is the most common and most burdensome skin disorder in the world and is strongly connected to asthma and allergies. Suffering with AD throughout life is now known to be common, and adults often have more severe skin inflammation and more changes to blood immune cells. The reasons why are unclear, but one-tenth of adults develop AD late in life, so environmental factors may play a large role. Evidence for such culprits is strongest for the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (staph). Commonly found in our noses, staph can cause serious infections; in AD skin, it is usually present. More staph growth associates with more severe disease and coincides with flares. We don’t understand how this bacterium interacts with the skin immune system in AD; this, together with missing information on genetic factors, needs substantial research. Collaborative research teams with broad expertise must also integrate patient experience and knowledge, especially when considering resistance to treatment. Our proposed team has the largest Canadian adult AD database and biobank, and aims to share specimens, protocols, and management infrastructure, along with digital tools. Our aim is to work together to promote long-term remission of disease.

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