Circulating immunoglobulins, leucocytes and complements in childhood-onset atopic eczema.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate if eczema severity is associated with blood levels of immunoglobulins, white cell differentials and complements.


METHODS
White cell differentials, levels of serum immunoglobulins and complements of patients with eczema and miscellaneous non-eczema skin diseases were measured. Eczema severity and quality of life were assessed by SCORAD, Nottingham Eczema Severity Score (NESS) and Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI). Correlations were analyzed by Pearson's correlation test for parametric data and Spearman's rho correlation test for non-parametric data.


RESULTS
Serum IgE and peripheral blood eosinophil percentage were significantly higher in patients with eczema than other non-eczema skin diseases. Levels of IgE (log-transformed), IgA and IgG correlated with objective SCORAD (r = 0.52, 0.40, 0.29, respectively). Levels of eosinophil, neutrophils, lymphocytes and complements also correlated with objective SCORAD, with the eosinohil/lymphocyte ratio showing the highest correlation (r = 0.60, p < 0.01). Ratios of IgE/IgA, IgE/IgG, eosinophils/lymphocytes, eosinophils/neutrophils correlated positively with CDLQI. IgM appeared to have no correlation with eczema.


CONCLUSIONS
Blood levels of IgE, IgA, IgG,eosinophils, lymphocytes, neutrophils and complements pathophysiologically correlate with eczema severity. Eosinophil/lymphocyte ratio may represent a readily-available objective laboratory correlate of eczema severity. Eczema is a complex atopic disease involving many cellular and humoral components of the immune system.
Department of Pediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 6/F, Clinical Sciences Building, Prince of Wales Hospital Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China. ehon@hotmail.com
Kam Lun
KL
Hon
Susan Shuxin
SS
Wang
Nga Hin Henry
NH
Pong
Ting Fan
TF
Leung
D017668:Age of Onset; D002648:Child; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D007136:Immunoglobulins; D003165:Complement System Proteins