Immunologic parameters in atopic dermatitis.

In view of the lack of agreement among the various authors regarding the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) we decided to conduct an immunological study on patients affected by atopic dermatitis, whether associated with allergic respiratory disease or not. Twenty five patients were studied using T lymphocytes and their subpopulations, the lymphoblastic transformation test and serum immunoglobulin parameters. We found a decrease in the T mu/T gamma ratio in patients with pure AD relative to those with associated respiratory disease as well as a direct correlation between the T mu/T gamma ratio and IgE, which support the role of the T regulatory system in IgE production.