How skin bacteria may worsen food allergies in children with eczema
Official title: Mechanisms of enhanced food allergy by S. aureus skin colonization in Atopic Dermatitis
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11042788 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain bacteria on the skin might make food allergies worse in kids with eczema, and it hopes to find new ways to help prevent or treat those allergies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | March 22, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $757,963 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI175556-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11042788 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children diagnosed with atopic dermatitis who also have a history of food allergies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without atopic dermatitis or those who do not have food allergies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the link between skin colonization by Staphylococcus aureus and the exacerbation of food allergies in children with atopic dermatitis. The study focuses on understanding how the application of certain proteins and toxins from these bacteria can lead to increased allergic reactions when consuming specific foods. By examining the immune response and changes in intestinal permeability, the researchers aim to uncover the underlying mechanisms that contribute to severe food allergies. This could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating food allergies in affected patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies for food allergies in children with atopic dermatitis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that similar approaches to understanding the immune response in allergic conditions have yielded significant insights, suggesting potential for success in this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Geha, Raif Salim — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Geha, Raif Salim
Related research
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How Staph on the skin may worsen food allergy in eczema
This work tests whether Staphylococcus aureus on eczema skin makes severe food allergies more likely and whether blocking gut leakiness can reduce those reactions for people with atopic dermatitis.
-
New Horizons in preventing and treating food allergy
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New Horizons in Food Allergy Prevention and Treatment
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Food allergy outcomes by race/ethnicity from infancy through adolescence
This study follows children with food allergies over time to understand how race and ethnicity relate to allergy management, outcomes, and quality of life.
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Gut-brain links in food allergy responses
A research grant is exploring how signals between the gut and brain drive dangerous reactions to foods, with the goal of helping people with food allergies.
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Targeting gut microbes to restore food-tolerance in adults
Aims to understand how gut bacteria and the lining of the gut interact to keep people with food allergies tolerant to what they eat.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.