A therapeutic challenge: managing severe atopic dermatitis with concurrent alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.

This article discusses the management of severe atopic dermatitis in a patient with alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). AATD is a genetic disease characterized by low levels of alpha-1-antitrypsin, which can cause cirrhosis and pulmonary emphysema. The patient in this case had moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and a history of allergic asthma and pulmonary emphysema. Treatment with dupilumab, a medication that targets the IL-13/IL-4Rα axis, resulted in a rapid improvement in the patient's dermatitis and respiratory symptoms. The article highlights the effectiveness of dupilumab in managing concurrent atopic dermatitis and asthma, even in cases of latent tuberculosis infection. It also discusses the association between AATD and asthma, although further research is needed to fully understand this relationship. [Extracted from the article]