Shotgun metagenomic sequencing on skin microbiome indicates dysbiosis exists prior to the onset of atopic dermatitis.

Our work provides evidence of reproducibility for the previously reported dysbiotic signatures predating AD onset while also expanding prior findings through the first use of metagenomic assessment prior to AD onset. While extrapolation of our findings beyond the pre-term, NICU cohort is limited, our findings add to the evidence that the dysbiosis associated with AD pre-dates disease onset rather than reflect a secondary consequence of skin inflammation.