MONITORING OF SEROLOGIC IMMUNE PARAMETERS IN INFLAMMATORY SKIN DISEASES

This paper deals with the correlation of clinical scoring and serologi c markers of inflammation in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Serum eo sinophil cationic protein (ECP), soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2 R), total serum IgE, IgG and IgM anti-IgE antibodies, and IgE immune c omplexes were evaluated in monitoring inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Well-established clinical activity scores were used as standards in recording skin improvement under tre atment in a clinical setting. Serum ECP was found to be increased in b oth atopic dermatitis and psoriasis patients compared to normal contro ls; sIL-2R and IgE immune complexes were increased only in atopics wit h increased serum IgE. Anti-IgE antibodies did not show any deviation in both groups of patients. There was a significant elevation of sIL-2 R and IgE immune complexes and a nonsignificant elevation of ECP in hi gh-IgE atopics in comparison to those with normal serum IgE. In both g roups of patients, there was a significant reduction of ECP and sIL-2R accompanying the improving skin condition. Serum IgE and the other im mune parameters failed to respond. In contrast to other studies, serum ECP failed to correspond significantly with disease activity in our s tudy. Our results showed measurable changes of ECP and sIL-2R for atop ic dermatitis and/or psoriasis under treatment, but comparison to clin ical scores remains difficult due to the different basis of the two sy stems. The only significant correlation was established for relative c hanges in sIL-2R and psoriasis area and intensity (PASI), a correlatio n which might be a useful approach in psoriasis.