n=18 Microbes as medicine

N Equals One

Here we talk to Richard Gallo, MD, PhD, a dermatologist and researcher whose team recently tested a “microbiome transplant” cream on a small group of eczema patients. People with eczema tend to have more Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on their skin than those who don’t, which can exacerbate the itchiness and inflammation. Unlike traditional antibiotics, which wipe out both harmful and beneficial bacteria indiscriminately, Gallo’s approach uses good bacteria to specifically fight off the bad.