title: Serum osteopontin levels in disseminated allergic contact dermatitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to evaluate serum osteopontin (OPN) concentrations in patients with disseminated form of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), and to assess the relationship between serum OPN level and disease severity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four patients with numerous allergic contact dermatitis lesions and twenty-two age- and sex-matched healthy subjects as a control group were enrolled in the study. Serum osteopontin levels were measured in the ACD patients twice: in the acute stage and during disease remission by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum OPN concentrations were significantly increased in patients with disseminated ACD examined in the acute stage as compared to healthy subjects and ACD patients during remission (p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively). In the ACD patients with extensive skin lesions (EASI>10), OPN serum levels were significantly higher than in those with mild disease (EASI<10).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acute disseminated ACD is characterized by elevated serum concentrations of osteopontin, with levels depending on ACD severity, which indicates its role in the elicitation phase of allergic contact dermatitis. The possibility of inhibition of OPN activity may create a new therapeutic perspective in severe forms of this troublesome skin disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland. Electronic address: treduta@umb.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Reduta
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Regional Hospital, Suwałki, Poland.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Śniecińska
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pawłoś
authors.affiliation: STD Research and Diagnostic Centre, Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sulkiewicz
authors.affiliation: STD Research and Diagnostic Centre, Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sokołowska
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053495:Osteopontin / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053495:Osteopontin
keywords: Allergic contact dermatitis; Disease severity; Osteopontin