title: Interferon-alpha treatment decreases the number of blood eosinophils in patients with severe atopic dermatitis.
abstract: Eight patients with severe atopic dermatitis were treated with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha 2b), given by subcutaneous injection, three times a week. The maximum doses varied from 3 to 9 x 10(6) U and the period of treatment from 6 to 14 weeks. The therapy was well tolerated. No changes were observed in eczema or IgE levels, although IFN-alpha 2b treatment significantly decreased blood eosinophils.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Paukkonen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fräki
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Horsmanheimo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E