['Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with colonization of the skin with Staphylococcus aureus known to produce toxins with superantigen (SAg) activity. Besides T-cell activation these toxins induce T-cell skin homing in vitro. This may contribute to the observed induction or enhancement of skin inflammation.', "The aim of this study was to determine whether colonization with SAg-producing S. aureus isolates modulates the intensity of AD. If so, it was of interest whether this may be primarily due to the toxins' effects as SAgs or as allergens.", 'In AD patients, healthy controls, and atopic controls SAg production by S. aureus isolated from skin or mucous membranes was investigated and correlated to the severity of the disease. Total IgE, SAg-specific IgE, and T-cell activation and recirculation markers were analysed and correlated with SAg production.', 'Fifty-seven percent of S. aureus strains isolated from AD patients produced SAgs. This frequency was higher compared to healthy controls (33%). SAg production by S. aureus was correlated with a significantly higher scoring of AD (SCORAD index, 58 +/- 19 in SAg-producing vs 41 +/- 7 in non-SAg-producing germs; P < 0.05). However, the severity of the disease was not associated with sensitization against the SAgs staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) and staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). Furthermore, SAg production by S. aureus was inversely correlated with total IgE concentration (P < 0.05) and positively correlated with T-cell activation (as measured by HLA-DR and CD69 expression) and the expression of the T-cell skin homing phenotype cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen.'] Is colonization with superantigen-producing Staphylococcus aureus associated with increased severity of atopic dermatitis?