[In vitro study of cellular immunity in atopic and in contact eczema (author's transl)]

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 20 atopic dermatitis patients, 10 contact dermatitis and 50 healthy subjects were studied by the following methods: E rosettes, active E rosettes anti-HTLA serum (T cells), surface immunoglobulins (B cells), Ea rosettes (Fc-gamma-receptor bearing cells) stimulation by PHA, ConA, PWM. In contact dermatitis the results only indicated significantly low percentages of active E rosettes (whereas E rosette, HTLA, surface immunoglobulins, Ea rosettes are normal) and a poor response to PHA and ConA. In atopic dermatitis the presence of a T cell defect was assessed by low percentages of E rosettes. However normal results obtained with an anti-HTLA serum indicated that this T cell defect was not quantitative but could be due to intrinsic lymphocyte abnormalities or serum factors. Moreover the percentage of B cells was significantly increased. The stimulation index was lower after ConA than after PHA stimulation. This could be in favor of a T suppressor cell impairment. The place of this T cell defect in atopic dermatitis and the possible correlations with the Sczentivanyi's theory are discussed.