- C Piérard-Franchimont: Service de Dermatopathologie, CHU de Liège, Belgique.
Staphylococci are microorganisms often involved in a colonization process on muco-cutaneous sites. They are responsible for various nosocomial and community-associated skin infections. The methicillin-resistant Staphylococci are particularly involved in various aspects of pathology. Epidermal antimicrobial peptides are part of the host defense mechanisms corresponding to the innate immunity. They may limit the extent in colonization. However, some Staphylococci are able to bypass the antimicrobial peptides released by the host.