title: Odontogenic focal infection could be partly involved in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis as exacerbating factor.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A focal infection has been reported to be associated with the pathogenesis of various skin diseases, but, to date, not atopic dermatitis (AD). The objective of the study was to clarify whether the odontogenic focal infection (OFI) could be recognized as one of the exacerbating factors in AD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-three patients with AD whose skin conditions were resistant to conventional therapy were examined. An OFI was evaluated by using radiographs. Serum IgE/sCD30 levels were also examined. Skin condition was evaluated by the eczema area and severity index (EASI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Odontogenic focal infection was detected in 13 patients (30%) and this incidence was higher than in the normal population. Moreover, a 3-month therapy including dental care improved the skin conditions of patients with OFI better than those without OFI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study concluded that OFI could be involved in the pathogenesis of some types of AD as exacerbating factors.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan. k.igawa.derm@tmd.ac.jp
authors: Ken
authors: K
authors: Igawa
authors: Kiyoshi
authors: K
authors: Nishioka
authors: Hiroo
authors: H
authors: Yokozeki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004804:Eosinophils; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E