Increased levels of urinary leukotriene E4 in children with severe atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Leukotrienes are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS). Urinary leukotriene E4 (U-LTE4) is a marker of whole-body cysteinyl-leukotriene production.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of leukotrienes in children with AEDS by measuring levels of U-LTE4, and to evaluate whether levels of U-LTE4 may reflect disease activity and allergic sensitization in AEDS.


METHODS
U-LTE4 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 87 children with mild (n=32), moderate (n=34) and severe (n=21) AEDS, as well as in 72 nonatopic healthy controls. Fifty-eight of the children with AEDS were sensitized to common allergens, and 29 were not.


RESULTS
Levels of U-LTE4 were higher in children with severe AEDS (140; 66-166 microg/mmol creatinine, median; quartiles) than in controls (52; 30-90, P <0.05), whereas levels of U-LTE4 in moderate and mild disease were similar to controls. U-LTE4 levels were similar in children with or without sensitization to common allergens, but severe AEDS children with sensitization had higher levels of U-LTE4 than those without sensitization.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest a role for leukotrienes in the pathogenesis of severe AEDS, and may support a role for leukotriene-antagonists in the treatment of this disorder. Levels of U-LTE4 may reflect the disease severity and sensitization to allergens in AEDS.
Øymar
K
K
Department of Pediatrics, Rogaland Central Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
Aksnes
L
L
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D017999:Leukotriene E4 / Q000652:urine*; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013577:Syndrome
D017999:Leukotriene E4