Clinical features and immunological markers of atopic dermatitis in elderly patients

Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2012;157(4):372-8. doi: 10.1159/000329150. Epub 2011 Nov 24.

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is increasing among the elderly. Staphylococcus aureus colonization is one of the most important aggravating factors in AD.

Objective: This study analyses the clinical features of AD in elderly patients and determines the pathogenic roles of staphylococcal superantigens in AD with low and high total IgE levels.

Methods: S. aureus enterotoxin genes were evaluated using PCR. Additionally, S. aureus-specific IgE levels and peripheral blood lymphocyte profiles were assessed.

Results: A total of 44 women and 77 men diagnosed with AD with a mean age of 68.92 ± 6.51 years were evaluated. In 17 (68%) patients with AD and low levels of total IgE, there was a positive correlation between the positive results for enterotoxin B, S. aureus-specific IgE antibodies and Th1 cytokine profiles (Spearman's rank correlation test, r = 0.89, p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Our results indicate that AD patients with low total IgE levels differ in immunopathogenesis from AD patients with high circulating levels of total IgE AD.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / complications*
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / immunology*
  • Enterotoxins / genetics
  • Enterotoxins / immunology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Staphylococcal Infections / complications*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / immunology*
  • Superantigens / immunology*
  • Superantigens / metabolism
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism
  • Th1 Cells / pathology

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Cytokines
  • Enterotoxins
  • Superantigens
  • Immunoglobulin E