Head and Neck Atopic Dermatitis and <i>Malassezia-furfur</i>-Specific IgE Antibodies

Vol. 211, No. 2, 2005

Free Abstract Article (Fulltext) Article (PDF 387 KB)

Clinical and Laboratory Investigations

Head and Neck Atopic Dermatitis and Malassezia-furfur-Specific IgE Antibodies
O. Bayrou^a, C. Pecquet^a, A. Flahault^b, C. Artigou^a, N. Abuaf^a, F. Leynadier^a

^aCentre d'allergologie,
^bUnité de biostatistiques, INSERM Unité 444, Hôpital Tenon, Paris, France

Address of Corresponding Author

Dermatology 2005;211:107-113 (DOI: 10.1159/000086438)

Key Words

Atopic dermatitis
Malassezia furfur, IgE antibodies
Pityrosporum orbiculare
Head and neck atopic dermatitis
Total immunoglobulin E
Contact dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
Pityriasis versicolor

Abstract

Background: Atopic dermatitis of the head and neck (HNAD) has been recognized as a separate entity. Malassezia furfur, a lipophilic yeast, is considered to be a pathogenic allergen in this form of atopic dermatitis. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the level of IgE anti-M.-furfur antibodies and their relation to the severity of the disease. Methods: IgE anti-M.-furfur antibodies were assayed in 106 patients with HNAD. Controls included 25 patients with non-HNAD, 20 with nonatopic dermatitis and 16 with seborrheic dermatitis (including 4 with AIDS). Results: There was a highly significant correlation between the level of anti-M.-furfur IgE and clinical severity. Furthermore, there was a significant but smaller correlation between total IgE and clinical severity. In patients with HNAD, total IgE was higher amongst men. Conclusion: IgE anti-M.-furfur antibodies are a good and specific marker for HNAD. IgE M. furfur levels are strongly correlated with the severity of the disease.

Author Contacts

O. Bayrou
Hôpital Tenon
Centre d'allergologie, 4, rue de la Chine
FR-75020 Paris (France)
Tel./Fax +33 1 56 01 72 25, E-Mail olivier.bayrou@tnn.ap-hop-paris.fr

Article Information

Received: July 8, 2004
Accepted: November 22, 2004
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 5, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 38

Medline Abstract (ID 16088155)

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