Lymphocyte subpopulations, serum immunoglobulins and complement factors in patients with atopic dermatitis.

The percentages of lymphocytes carrying different classes of membrane-bound Ig, and lymphocytes forming rosettes with sheep erythrocytes (E-RFC), as well as lymphocytes with receptor for the Fc-part of IgG (EA-RFC) were determined in 19 patients with atopic dermatitis. Lymphocyte suspensions were also stained with a specific rabbit anti-human T-lymphocyte antiserum. Furthermore, the serum concentration of IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE and the complement factors C3 and C4 were measured. A small but significant increase in lymphocytes with membrane-bound IgE and an increase in the serum concentration of IgE and complement factor C4 were observed. A decrease in the percentages of lymphocytes with receptors for sheep erythrocytes (E-RFC) was also found. The percentages of lymphocytes that stained with the anti-T antiserum correlated well with the percentages of lymphocytes forming rosettes with sheep erythrocytes. In one patient we found increased IgE positive lymphocytes, increased IgE serum concentration and a decreased T-cell number.