[New concepts about atopic dermatitis]

The atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin illness, with remissions and exacerbations, itch, and association with allergic rhinitis and asthma. There is a complex interrelationship of genetic, environmental, pharmacological and psychological factors that contribute to the development and severity of the illness: Different manifestations of immunological disorders are an increment in the number of IgE antibodies toward common antigens, an increment in the liberation of proinflammatory mediators by basophils and mast cells, peripheral and local eosinophilia, biphasic activity Th1/Th2 with the liberation of cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13), GM-CSF and the IFN-gamma caused by the cells Th1. an increment in the liberation of major basic protein, eosinophil cationic protein besides the expression of chemotactic factors by the monocytes (RANTES, eotaxin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, etc.). In 1980, Hanifin and Rajka made public the diagnostic criteria for the atopic dermatitis and it has been universally accepted as an standard for the diagnosis. Leung reported that a knowledge about the immunopathological bases of the atopic dermatitis has important clinical implications for the diagnosis and possible treatment there are multiple choices for a treatment because of the complexity of the illness. Among these are thalidomide and transfer factor as an immunomodulator treatment with acceptable safety and clinical efficacy.