title: Mast cell quantification in the skin of children with atopic dermatitis: its value in diagnosis and in assessing the effectiveness of therapy.
abstract: This study reports on the usefulness of skin mast cell quantification (mast cells(mm2) as a parameter for the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis (AD) and for determining the efficacy of the therapeutic measures employed. Fifteen children with AD of moderate to extreme severity, and which started within the first two years of life, were studied. The therapeutic measures were limited to advice regarding the choice of adequate living conditions and of an appropriate diet in conjunction with the oral administration of hydroxyzine. Before treatment, 11 children with active AD were submitted to biopsies of both affected and non-affected skin. After treatment, in six children who were asymptomatic for at least one month, another biopsy was performed at a site of previous skin disease. A biopsy of a previously affected site was also performed in the other four children with a personal history of AD and who had no symptoms for more than one year. Treatment with hydroxyzine significantly reduced the number of papillar and reticular mast cells/mm3 of affected skin. In children who had been asymptomatic for one month, the number of papillar dermis mast cells/mm3 was greater than in those who had been asymptomatic for 12 months. In both groups of asymptomatic children, the number of mast cells/mm3 of affected skin was greater than in non-affected skin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Sao Paulo, Brasil.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guerra Júnior
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: de Luca
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Leonardo
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Vilela
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D002452:Cell Count; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D004341:Drug Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006919:Hydroxyzine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells
chemical_list: D006919:Hydroxyzine