[The ICAM-1 cell adhesion molecule in asthma and atopic dermatitis]

Measurement of serum ICAM 1, an adhesion molecule, by an enzymo-immunological method, compared with IgE and IFN gamma in three groups of subjects (reference, asthma and atopic dermatitis) shows a statistically significant raised titre in the atopic dermatitis group (377 ng/ml) in comparison with the reference group (300.4 ng/ml). The titre of ICAM 1 in the asthma group (317 ng/ml) was not significantly different from that of the reference. The difference between the latter two groups may be more clearly seen if the measurements were made not in serum but instead in the liquid from broncho-alveolar lavage (LBA) for asthmatics.