title: Serum concentrations of metalloproteinase 2, metalloproteinase 9 and granzyme B in contact eczema patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Contact eczema is a common skin condition with complex etiology, variable clinical presentation and lengthy therapy duration. The mechanism of contact eczema is complex, since it is affected by multiple inflammatory mediators.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess concentrations of metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and granzyme B (GzmB) in patients with contact eczema.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy patients with contact eczema and 30 healthy persons as controls were included in the study. In all subjects, MMP-2, MMP-9 and GzmB were determined using ELISA immunoassay. In study group patients, concentrations were assayed in periods of disease exacerbation and remission. Obtained results were analyzed statistically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean MMP-2 and GzmB concentrations were found to be significantly higher in the study group than in the control group. Mean MMP-2, MMP-9 and GzmB levels were also statistically significantly higher during skin lesion relapse compared to contact eczema remission periods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presented paper demonstrates that MMP-2, MMP-9 and GzmB are good markers of contact eczema exacerbations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Ludwik Rydygier Medical College, Bydgoszcz, Poland. Head: Prof. Krzysztof Leksowski MD, PhD.
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wojciechowska
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zbikowska-Gotz
authors.forename: Rafał
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Czajkowski
authors.forename: Zbigniew
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Bartuzi
keywords: contact eczema; granzyme; metalloproteinase