Clinical features of atopic dermatitis and a family history of atopy.

In 365 children and 213 adults the characteristics of atopic dermatitis isolated by Hanifin and Rajka were analysed in relation to a family history of allergy. A positive history in both parents and/or their families was associated with higher IgE titres, earlier appearance of skin changes, more frequent occurrence of urticaria, allergic respiratory diseases, cheilitis, and, in women, nipple eczema. These changes were less frequent and the IgE titre was lower in patients with one atopic parent, and even less frequent (or lower IgE titre) in patients with no family history of atopic disease, although the latter difference was sometimes slight.

[Sensitivity to the primary house dust allergen--dermatophagoides pteronyssinus--in patients with atopic dermatitis].

The study involved 117 adults and 535 children with atopic dermatitis. Immunoglobulins E against D. pteronyssinus--main allergen of the home dust--were assayed with RAST technique in children and FAST technique in adult patients.

[Family history of allergy and symptoms of atopic dermatitis].

Three hundred sixty five children and hundred thirty nine adults with atopic dermatitis were divided into three groups. Group A included patients with negative family history of allergy; group B--allergy history in one parent or his family; group C--allergy in both parents or their families. It was found that total IgE level was higher in patients of group C in comparison with group A.

RAST and PRIST in children with atopic dermatitis.

The study was carried out in 535 children. The frequency of positive RAST for food allergens decreased with age, whereas the frequency of positive RAST for inhalant allergens increased with age. Coexistence of asthma and/or rhinitis was not related to the results of RAST with food allergens.

[Radioimmunologic tests in children with pruritus and with a combination of pruritus and allergic respiratory disease].

Radioimmunological tests were carried out in 180 children with pruritus and 167 children with pruritus and allergic respiratory diseases. Difference between these groups was statistically insignificant in case of food allergy. Results of RAST were more often positive in case of respiratory allergy in the patients with pruritus and coexisting allergic respiratory diseases than in patients with skin involvement only.

[Atopic dermatitis in patients with normal and raised IgE levels].

In a group of 535 children and 103 adult patients with atopic dermatitis no differences were observed between persons with normal and raised IgE level with respect to incidence of lesions in the first or the first three months of life, the total number of the positive RAST results and the most intense reactions, that is 4 degrees, the percent of helper and suppressor T-cells, duration of remission, darkening of lower eyelids, cheilitis, involvement of the hands, the feet, the elbow flexures or knee flexures. On the other hand, in individuals with raised IgE level, especially in patients with IgE level tenfold higher or more than normal, the co-existence of alergic diseases of the respiratory system, the appearance of itching after sweating, itching after emotion, pityriasis alba, and eczema of breasts were

[Urticaria in atopic dermatitis].

During examinations of 479 patients referred for atopic dermatitis and 520 with urticaria it was found that in the first group coexistence of these diseases was frequently occurring, and in the second group it was rare. Food allergens caused slightly more frequently episodes of urticaria than exacerbations of atopic dermatitis. Coexistence of urticaria with atopic dermatitis was particularly frequent in patients: a) with a high IgE titre, b) with a history of allergy in the families of both parents, c) in patients with respiratory allergy associated with skin lesions.