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There is a lack of reports focusing on the course of atopic dermatitis (AD) with respect to its evolution and association with other allergic diseases and parameters. This study gives the review of results concerning the evaluation of different parameters in patients suffering from AD older than 14 years of age. This study evaluates the occurrence of food allergy, food intolerance, inhalant allergy, occurrence of asthma bronchiale, allergic rhinitis, peripheral blood eosinophilia, family history of atopy, onset of AD and the severity of AD according to the SCORAD index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is the evaluation of the specificity and sensitivity of the skin prick tests (SPTs), specific IgE and atopy patch tests (APTs) in atopic dermatitis patients suffering from food allergy. A total of 301 patients were examined, complete dermatological and allergological examination was performed in all patients. The food allergy was confirmed to peanuts in 62 patients (20%), to egg in 16 patients (5%), to soy in 9 patients (3%), to wheat in 12 patients (4%) and to cow milk in 6 patients (2%). The specificity of SPT, specific IgE and APT is considered as good; the sensitivity of APT is low. The positive results in isolation cannot confirm the food allergy; however, together with other diagnostic methods, such as clinical history and open exposure test, these tests are valuable tool in examination of food allergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The evaluation of the importance of atopy patch tests in patients suffering from food allergy to egg’s white and yolk, peanuts, soy, cow’s milk and wheat.Methods: 240 patients were examined. Complete dermatological and allergological examination was performed in all patients including specific IgE, skin prick test, atopy patch test and the challenges tests.Results: The specificity of atopy patch tests is for soy 96%, for egg 95%, for wheat 95%, for peanuts 99% and for milk 99%. The sensitivity of atopy patch tests is for soy 62%, for egg 35.7%, for wheat 16.7%, for peanuts 20.8% and for milk 50%.Conclusion: The specificity of atopy patch tests may be considered good; regarding the sensitivity, the high percentage of false negative results should make us believe that these tests are not conclusive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of our study is to evaluate the count of eosinophils in peripheral blood in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients over 14 years of age and to compare it with the occurrence of food hypersensitivity (FH) reactions. Complete allergological and dermatological examination was performed in 212 patients included in the study (90 men, 122 women, average age 26.7 years, average SCORAD 32.9). According to our results, in AD patients the difference in count of eosinophils in patients with and without FH reactions is not statistically significant. When evaluating the occurrence of FH reactions to single foods, the count of eosinophils is significantly higher only in patients suffering from reactions to carrot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple treatment modalities, including topical and systemic corticosteroid and phototherapy, have been used in treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis. However, long-term corticosteroid therapy may have various adverse effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of bath therapy using green tea extracts for treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis. A total of four patients with atopic dermatitis were enrolled in this study. A Malassezia multiplex detection kit was used in performance of multiplex PCR on clinical isolates, which confirmed Malassezia sympodialis. Subjects underwent treatment with bath therapy using green tea extracts three times per wk for a period of 4 wk. Assessment using the scoring atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index, the visual analogue scale for pruritus, and transepidermal water loss was performed weekly. Laboratory tests were performed before and after treatment. All patients showed marked improvement on the mean SCORAD and visual analogue scale, and a significant decrease in the mean values of serum eosinophil counts was observed after treatment. Bath therapy with green tea extract is an effective, safe, and nonsteroidal therapy for treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis associated with Malassezia syinpodialis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]