Role of Thymus and Activation-Regulated Chemokine in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis
Journal of Pan-Arab League of Dermatologists
Vol. 19, No. 1, February 2008 Page 9-19
Role of Thymus and Activation-Regulated Chemokine in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis
Tarek M Hussein, Nagat S Mohamad, Eman H El-Morsy, Nouran Abou Khadr and Rania A Maksoud.
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing, highly pruritic, inflammatory skin disease that frequently predates the development of allergic rhinitis or asthma. The major triggering factors contributing to flares of AD are irritants, contact and aeroallergens, microbial agents, foods, psyche and climate. Ligands of CC chemokine receptor 4, like Thymus and Activation- Regulated Chemokine (TARC / CCL17), are likely to play a role in the aetiopathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD).
Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the circulating plasma level of TARC in patients with AD before and after treatment; in control subjects; and also in patients with clinical and bacteriologic evidence of secondary infection versus those without such evidence.
Methods:The plasma level of TARC (measured by ELISA) was compared in 25 patients with AD before and after treatment. It was also compared among those with secondary bacterial skin infection versus those without evident infection. Also, the plasma levels of TARC in 10 healthy controls were recorded to compare them with the TARC levels in the AD patients.
Results:Plasma TARC levels were significantly elevated in patients with AD in comparison to the controls (p < 0.001). Moreover, the levels declined significantly in the patients\' group after treatment (p < 0.001). The TARC levels were significantly higher in AD patients with secondary bacterial infection compared to those without infection; (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:TARC is one of the chemokines that are closely related to the disease activity and response to treatment in AD. Furthermore, secondary bacterial infection probably plays an important role in causing further elevation of TARC levels.
Journal of Pan-Arab League of Dermatologists
Vol. 19, No. 1, February 2008 Page 9-19
Role of Thymus and Activation-Regulated Chemokine in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis
Tarek M Hussein, Nagat S Mohamad, Eman H El-Morsy, Nouran Abou Khadr and Rania A Maksoud.
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing, highly pruritic, inflammatory skin disease that frequently predates the development of allergic rhinitis or asthma. The major triggering factors contributing to flares of AD are irritants, contact and aeroallergens, microbial agents, foods, psyche and climate. Ligands of CC chemokine receptor 4, like Thymus and Activation- Regulated Chemokine (TARC / CCL17), are likely to play a role in the aetiopathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD).
Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the circulating plasma level of TARC in patients with AD before and after treatment; in control subjects; and also in patients with clinical and bacteriologic evidence of secondary infection versus those without such evidence.
Methods:The plasma level of TARC (measured by ELISA) was compared in 25 patients with AD before and after treatment. It was also compared among those with secondary bacterial skin infection versus those without evident infection. Also, the plasma levels of TARC in 10 healthy controls were recorded to compare them with the TARC levels in the AD patients.
Results:Plasma TARC levels were significantly elevated in patients with AD in comparison to the controls (p < 0.001). Moreover, the levels declined significantly in the patients\' group after treatment (p < 0.001). The TARC levels were significantly higher in AD patients with secondary bacterial infection compared to those without infection; (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:TARC is one of the chemokines that are closely related to the disease activity and response to treatment in AD. Furthermore, secondary bacterial infection probably plays an important role in causing further elevation of TARC levels.