title: An open study to assess the efficacy clinically and immunologically of M. vaccae vaccine in patients with atopic dermatitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess clinical and immunological changes in a group of atopic dermatitis patients treated with Mycobacterium vaccae (M. vaccae).
  
  
  METHODS
  In an open, randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical observer-blinded trial, 20 patients with moderately severe to severe atopic dermatitis were treated with two subcutaneous M. vaccae injections 3 months apart. Clinical scoring and total serum IgE estimation were performed at the start, during and 3 months after the end of the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Modest clinical improvement was seen in the patients after M. vaccae immunotherapy. There was no significant change in patients' total serum IgE levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has shown limited improvement clinically in a group of patients with atopic dermatitis treated with two M. vaccae injections. It is suggested that further trials using four to six injections would produce much greater benefit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK. pauline.slater@phnt.swest.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Symons
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: Eduardo R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Kaminski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000276:immunology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D007073:Immunoglobulin E