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Background:Natural moisturizing factor (NMF) is used as genotypic and phenotypic biomarker in diagnostics. This study is a side-to-side comparison of two different methods to determine NMF in atopic dermatitis patients: Raman microspectroscopy and stratum corneum tape stripping followed by HPLC. Results:Measured NMF values were significantly correlated (R2 = .61;p < .0001), both methods demonstrated a concentration-depth dependence of NMF and reduced NMF levels in the carriers of filaggrin null mutations. Good agreement between measurements of left and right arms indicated robustness and good reproducibility of both methods. Conclusions:Both methods showed comparable performance, choice of method will rather be influenced by practical consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

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]

Only few population-based data exist on the association of food hypersensitivity reactions and atopic diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the dependence between the occurrence of food hypersensitivity reactions and other atopic diseases and parameters. Complete dermatological and allergological examination was performed. Statistical evaluation of the relations between the occurrence of food hypersensitivity reactions and the occurrence of asthma bronchiale, rhinitis, duration of atopic dermatitis, family history and onset of atopic dermatitis was performed. Two hundred and thirty-five patients were examined – 75 men and 160 women, average age 26.2 years (SD = 9.5). Patients suffering from food hypersensitivity reactions, in general, suffer significantly more often from rhinitis and from persistent eczematic lesions; the dependence was confirmed in patients with hypersensitivity reactions to nuts, kiwi, fishes and apple. Atopic march was confirmed in patients suffering from atopic dermatitis and from food hypersensitivity reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]