Skin microbes may hold key to eczema and psoriasis Flare-Ups
NCT ID NCT04170244
First seen Jul 14, 2026 · Last updated Jul 15, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tracks how bacteria living on the skin change over time in people with eczema (atopic dermatitis), psoriasis, and healthy skin. Researchers collect skin swabs, tape strips, and blood samples to measure levels of Staphylococcus aureus and other microbes. The goal is to understand how these bacteria relate to disease activity and skin barrier function, which could inform future treatments.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this study could reveal how skin bacteria influence eczema and psoriasis severity, pointing toward new microbiome-based treatments.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial, so it won't directly test any therapy. Results may not lead to immediate clinical changes.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 240 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Apr 2019
- Expected to finish
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Apr 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
The healthy population will be defined as individuals with no personal history of or active case of any atopic disorder (e.g. atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, hay fever). These patients will be individuals seen in URMC Dermatology clinic for a non-infectious condition that does not affect the skin of the extremities. AD subjects must have moderate-to-severe disease defined as an Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) of ≥ 12. The psoriasis subjects will have moderate-to-severe disease defined as a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index of ≥ 7. The healthy controls will be recruited to be age- and gendermatched to those with inflammatory skin diseases. Subjects will be recruited from URMC Dermatology clinics at Red Creek and Collegetown.
- Ages
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13 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * ≥13 to 65 years of age (inclusive) for PS, ≥13 for AD and NA, male or female * Optional Bx sub study - only adults (18-65 yrs; inclusive only) * Able to understand protocol and give consent * Able to keep clinic/study appointments and comply with study related procedures * Must be able to read, speak, and understand English * Chronic AD, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Consensus Criteria (Eichenfield 2014), that has been present for at least 1 year before the enrollment visit * Chronic PS, according to the AAD Consensus Criteria (Menter et al 2008 (section 1)), that has been present for at least 1 year before the enrollment visit. * AD subjects: have active lesions on upper extremities, lower extremities, or trunk and a total disease severity of high moderate-to-severe (EASI ≥12) * PS subjects: have active lesions on upper extremities, lower extremities, or trunk and a total disease severity of high moderate-to-severe (PASI ≥7) Exclusion Criteria: * Unwilling and/or unable to complete informed consent process * \<13 or \> 65 years of age for PS, \>13 for AD and NA * AD subjects: disease without upper extremity, lower extremity, or trunk lesions * AD subjects: total disease severity less than moderate (EASI \<12), depending on enrollment * PS subjects: disease without upper extremity, lower extremity, or trunk lesions * PS subjects: total disease severity less than moderate (PASI \<7), depending on enrollment * Control subjects: diagnosed with an inflammatory skin disease * Severe concomitant illness(es) that, in the investigator's judgment, would adversely affect the individual's participation in the study (Ex: HIV infection, autoimmune disease, severe heart failure, Hx of malignancy (other than in situ cervical cancer or basosquamous skin cancer), etc.) * Recent bacterial, fungal, or viral infection requiring systemic therapies (PO, IV or IM) within the last month. * Subjects with a history of serious life-threatening reaction to tape or adhesives may be enrolled but cannot undergo Tape stripping procedure and will therefore only have a baseline TEWL measurement. * (For Skin biopsy substudy only) - Subjects with history of keloid formation or allergy to lidocaine.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Rochester Medical Center
RECRUITINGRochester, New York, 14642, United States
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