Terézia Thomová

Full Citation: Thomova T, Jedlickova H, Bohm J, Holochova P, Ruzicka F, Borilova Linhartova P. Effect of Systemic Therapies on Skin Bacteriome in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: A Pilot Prospective Study. J Invest Dermatol. 2025.

I have always been academically driven, and I truly love my field of work. Dermatology continues to fascinate me, and research allows me to look beneath the surface of everyday clinical problems and understand them more deeply. Finding energy isn’t always easy, but I know that engaging with science keeps me inspired, helps me grow as a clinician, and allows me to provide better care for my patients.

Terézia Thomová, MD, is a board-certified dermatovenerologist at St. Anne University Hospital Brno, where she currently serves as head physician of the women’s inpatient ward.

She is also a teaching assistant in dermatology at Masaryk University, actively involved in educating medical students and providing specialist dermatological care. She is the author and co-author of multiple peer-reviewed scientific publications and regularly contributes to national and international dermatology congresses. Her professional interests include the skin microbiome, atopic dermatitis, dermatoscopy, dermatosurgery, rosacea and laser therapy. Through her combined clinical and research work, she focuses on translating scientific insights into practical improvements in patient care.

Understanding How Systemic Therapy Shapes the Skin Microbiome in Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that significantly affects patients’ physical comfort, emotional well-being and quality of life. One of its key features is an imbalance of the skin microbiome, with reduced microbial diversity associated with disease severity. However, less is known about how commonly used systemic therapies influence this microbial ecosystem.

In her study, Terézia Thomová investigated changes in the skin bacteriome of patients with atopic dermatitis undergoing different treatments. This work represents an extensive six-month longitudinal microbiome study and is the first to directly compare four commonly used therapeutic approaches, including dupilumab, JAK inhibitors, cyclosporine A and intermittent topical corticosteroids. Importantly, it is also the first microbiome study to include JAK inhibitors, one of the most recent therapeutic advances in atopic dermatitis. The research demonstrated that these therapies differ substantially in their ability to restore microbial balance and diversity. Importantly, not all treatments led to a healthier microbiome, highlighting that clinical improvement and microbial normalization do not always occur in parallel. 

Dupilumab markedly reduced Staphylococcus aureus, consistent with selective IL-4/IL-13 blockade and restoration of type 2–driven barrier dysfunction. JAK inhibitors also improved clinical outcomes and reduced S. aureus, but to a lesser extent, likely due to broader and less specific cytokine inhibition. In contrast, cyclosporine A and intermittent topical corticosteroids improved disease severity without relevant microbiome modulation.

Overall, these findings suggest that targeting type 2 inflammation with biologic or small-molecule therapies can shift the skin bacteriome toward a healthier balance, whereas traditional anti-inflammatory treatments show limited effects.

These findings provide clinically relevant insights that may help dermatologists better tailor therapy choices, aiming not only for symptom control but also for long-term disease stability. By improving understanding of how treatments interact with the skin microbiome, this work contributes to more personalized care and ultimately, to improved quality of life for patients with atopic dermatitis. It is an important step toward mechanism-based treatment strategies and future therapeutic optimization. 

Motivation Rooted in Curiosity, Empathy and Balance

For Thomová, medicine represents the ideal combination of scientific curiosity, problem-solving and helping others. Dermatology became her calling not only because of its intellectual depth, but also due to personal experience with skin disease, which strengthened her commitment to supporting patients in a very tangible and empathetic way.
Research plays a key role in her professional development, allowing her to look beneath everyday clinical challenges and understand their underlying mechanisms. Although balancing research with clinical duties can be demanding, engaging with science keeps her inspired and helps her grow as a clinician.

Outside of work, she enjoys activities that bring calm and balance, including caring for plants and keeping fresh flowers at home. She values quiet evenings spent with loved ones, good food and rest, which help her recharge and maintain long-term motivation.

Being selected as a finalist for the International Medis Awards is deeply meaningful to her. As her most extensive research project to date, this four-year journey required persistence and dedication. The recognition confirms the value of her work and motivates her to continue exploring ways to make a meaningful impact through both clinical dermatology and research.