Immunofluorescence of the skin in allergic diseases: an investigation of patients with contact dermatitis, allergic vasculitis and atopic dermatitis.

Skin biopsies for immunofluorescent studies were taken from patients with contact dermatitis (positive patch tests), atopic dermatitis and allergic vasculitis for comparison with normal-appearing skin from the same patients, and from healthy controls. A variety of deposits of immunoglobulins, complement components and fibrinogen were demonstrated in 6 out of 20 patients with contact dermatitis, 7 out of 10 with atopic dermatitis, 8 out of 10 with allergic vasculitis, and in 4 out of 20 control individuals. No diagnostic pattern of deposits was found. Elevated serum IgE and eosinophilic counts were found in patients with atopic dermatitis, and high serum IgA and fibrinogen levels were found in the allergic vasculitis group.