Abstract
Serum IgE levels were measured in patients with chronic eczematous dermatitis without any previous or family history of bronchial asthma and/or allergic rhinitis, or any parasite infections. The aged males accounted for a greater number of patients studied. The degree of dermatitis was classified into two groups according to the distribution and severity of skin involvement; the diffuse type and the localized type. The former has a wide region of lichenification over most of the cutaneous surface, while the latter has a small extent of lichenification on the localized area. High IgE levels (≥700IU/ml) were demonstrated in 27 of 57 patients with diffuse type and in 5 of 43 cases with localized type. It is, however, noteworthy that 95% of patients showed serum IgE levels below 3000IU/ml. There was no correlation between serum IgE levels and other immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM and IgA) levels and blood eosinophil counts. Investigation of specific antigens with RAST showed only 3 cases to be positive with dermatophagoides and other allergens. These findings suggest that the mechanism of IgE production in chronic eczematous dermatitis is different from that in atopic dermatitis.
