Atopic dermatitis: serum immunoglobulins and T-lymphocyte subpopulations

A group of patients with atopic dermatitis who attended the Allergy Outpatient Service of the Hermanos Ameijeiras Clinical Surgical Hospital from May, 1987 to May, 1988 were studied. The patients were assigned to 2 groups; the first one composed of 38 patients and the second one composed of 12 non-allergic, supposedly healthy subjects. Different tests were carried out for the quantification of total serum immunoglobulins (A, G, M, E) by means of the radial immunodiffusion method and the ELISA ultramicromethod. They were also submitted to quantification of lymphocyte subpopulations by means of the indirect immunofluorescence test with monoclonal antibodies, using Cuban antiserum prepared at the National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology. In our study IgG and IgA values were within normal limits in patients, contrary to the statistically significant increase in IgM and IgE values. The relative values of total T-lymphocytes (anti-T3) and of the suppressor lymphocyte subpopulations decreased.