Head and neck atopic dermatitis and malassezia-furfur-specific IgE antibodies.
BACKGROUND
Atopic dermatitis of the head and neck (HNAD) has been recognized as a separate entity. Malassezia furfur, a lipophilic yeast, is considered to be a pathogenic allergen in this form of atopic dermatitis.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the level of IgE anti-M.-furfur antibodies and their relation to the severity of the disease.


METHODS
IgE anti-M.-furfur antibodies were assayed in 106 patients with HNAD. Controls included 25 patients with non-HNAD, 20 with nonatopic dermatitis and 16 with seborrheic dermatitis (including 4 with AIDS).


RESULTS
There was a highly significant correlation between the level of anti-M.-furfur IgE and clinical severity. Furthermore, there was a significant but smaller correlation between total IgE and clinical severity. In patients with HNAD, total IgE was higher amongst men.


CONCLUSIONS
IgE anti-M.-furfur antibodies are a good and specific marker for HNAD. IgE M. furfur levels are strongly correlated with the severity of the disease.
Bayrou
O
O
Centre d'allergologie, INSERM Unité 444, Hôpital Tenon, Paris, France. olivier.bayrou@tnn.ap-hop-paris.fr
Pecquet
C
C
Flahault
A
A
Artigou
C
C
Abuaf
N
N
Leynadier
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D012628:Dermatitis, Seborrheic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D015994:Incidence; D016014:Linear Models; D008290:Malassezia / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D011336:Probability; D011379:Prognosis; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution
D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D007073:Immunoglobulin E