Duodenal IgE-positive cells and elimination diet responsiveness in children with atopic dermatitis

Parameters for identifying eczematous children who could respond to an elimination diet are needed. In children with food allergy, duodenal IgE-containing cells are enhanced.

To determine the presence of duodenal mucosal IgE-positive cells in atopic dermatitis and to determine whether duodenal IgE-positive cells may identify eczematous children who will benefit from an elimination diet.

Thirty-one children with severe eczema underwent gastrointestinal endoscopy because of gastrointestinal symptoms and were treated with an elimination diet. A clinical score to skin lesions was given before and after diet. All subjects were skin-prick tested with food antigens and aeroallergens. Serum IgE levels were measured. Duodenal IgE-positive cells were investigated in 18 control subjects and in all eczematous children before diet.

The number of duodenal IgE-positive cells in children with atopic dermatitis was significantly increased compared with that of control group (P < 0.001). Nineteen (61%) eczematous children improved on a few food diet. Diet-responsive children had significantly higher IgE-positive cells compared with both nondiet-responsive and controls. Positive predictive accuracy of duodenal IgE-positive cells was poor, whereas negative predictive accuracy was high at the cutoff level of 50 IgE-positive cells/10 visual fields. Diagnostic accuracy both of SPT reactions with foods and of food-specific serum IgE antibodies was poor.

An intestinal IgE-mediated reaction occurred in children with severe atopic dermatitis who underwent intestinal endoscopy because of gastrointestinal symptoms. In these eczematous children, the number of IgE-positive cells in the duodenal mucosa might be helpful for excluding a positive response to the elimination diet.