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At least 919 records · Page 51Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

A pilot study examining the role of zileuton in atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition. Current therapies are often insufficient to control the degree of inflammation and pruritus seen in this disease. OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of zileuton in treating atopic dermatitis by measuring both subjective and objective outcome parameters. METHODS: This was an open-label pilot study using zileuton to treat atopic dermatitis. Following a 1-week run-in period off all corticosteroids and antihistamines, six adult patients received 6 weeks of zileuton 600 mg po QID. Subjects were not allowed to use their usual atopic dermatitis medications during the study. At baseline, and at 2, 4, and 6 weeks into the zileuton course, patients were asked to report on their disease dissatisfaction and their pruritus. Objective skin scoring was also performed by an examiner at these visits. RESULTS: Disease dissatisfaction score decreased from a mean of 8 (out of a possible 10) to 4.4 over the 6-week period (P = .03). Pruritus scores showed a trend toward improvement during the study, decreasing from a mean of 7.3 to 4.3 (out of a possible 10, P = .06). Objective skin erythema scores decreased from a baseline mean of 24 (out of a possible 60) to 14 following zileuton treatment (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, zileuton showed efficacy in significantly improving the symptoms and objective skin findings seen in atopic dermatitis. The encouraging results seen in this trial should encourage larger, placebo-controlled studies looking at this novel approach toward treating this condition.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Elevated levels of soluble HLA class I (sHLA-I) in children with severe atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis is characterized by increased production of IgE and interleukin-4, immediate skin test reactivity to allergens, increased expression of CD23 on mononuclear cells, and decreased production of interferon-gamma. Soluble HLA-I molecule levels are elevated in conditions where T cells are activated such as viral infections, autoimmune diseases, and organ transplantation. OBJECTIVE: We wished to determine if sHLA-I heterodimers were also elevated in patients with atopic dermatitis and if sHLA-I elevations correlated with disease activity. METHODS: Fourteen children with atopic dermatitis resistant to conventional treatment were followed over an 8-week period during an ongoing trial of treatment with topical sodium cromoglycate. Extent of skin involvement, disease severity, absolute eosinophil counts, IgE and HLA-I levels were determined at the time of enrollment into the study. Additional sHLA-I levels were measured after 4 and 8 weeks of therapy. RESULTS: Mean sHLA-I levels were significantly elevated in atopic dermatitis patients, 2.07 +/- 1.14 versus 1.00 +/- 0.22 microg/mL in controls (P < .0001). Nine of 14 patients (64%) had elevated sHLA-I antigens. Soluble HLA-I levels did not correlate with the extent of disease, disease severity score, eosinophil count, or IgE levels. There was a remarkable consistency in sHLA-I levels at baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks of therapy, even with significant clinical improvement. CONCLUSION: We conclude that sHLA-I heterodimers are elevated in 64% of our patients with atopic dermatitis and that elevations persist after clinically effective therapy. This conclusion supports recommendations for prolonged preventative and treatment measures in this atopic disease.

Child↗
PubMed1997

Unbalanced production of interleukin-5 and interleukin-2 in children with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-5, produced by T helper type 2 Th2) cells appear to play an important role in the inflammatory processes associated with atopic dermatitis. The roles of cytokines produced by Th1 cells remain controversial. OBJECTIVE: We examined IL-5 and IL-2 mRNA abundance in and protein production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with atopic dermatitis and compared those from controls. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from six children with atopic dermatitis and six control children, and stimulated with both phytohemaggulutinin (PHA) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). The abundance of IL-5 and IL-2 mRNA in PBMCs was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. The production of IL-5 and IL-2 by PBMCs was also determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: After incubation with PHA and PMA, PBMCs from atopic children showed significantly higher IL-5 mRNA abundance (P < .05) and IL-5 production (P < .01), as well as a lower amount of IL-2 mRNA (P = .056) and IL-2 production (P < .05) than those from healthy controls. The time course of changes in IL-5 mRNA abundance induced by PHA and PMA in PBMCs from atopic children differed markedly from that observed with healthy controls, whereas the time course of changes in IL-2 mRNA abundance were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The increased IL-5 and decreased IL-2 production observed with PBMCs from children with atopic dermatitis may underlie the activation of eosinophils and high serum immunoglobulin E concentrations also apparent in such individuals. An imbalance in the number and activity of Th1 and Th2 cells is likely to be responsible for the abnormal pattern of cytokine production in atopic dermatitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Cough sensitivity in atopic dermatitis.

The aim of study was to investigate the cough sensitivity (C2) to capsaicin (CAPS) in patients with atopic dermatitis without clinical respiratory symptoms. Cough sensitivity (C2) is defined as the lowest CAPS concentration, which evokes two or more coughs. Forty eight dermatological patients (21 M, 27 F; mean age 44 yr) and 24 healthy volunteers (14 M, 10 F; mean age 37 yr) inhaled deep breath (2 l) of CAPS aerosol in doubled concentrations (from 0.02 to 200 micromol/l) (Pari Provokationstest I, PARI WERK; mass median diameter 1.2 microm). Cough sensitivity (C2) expressed as geometric mean (95% CI) of CAPS concentration was 0.13 micromol/l (0.06-0.31) in 26 patients with atopic dermatitis (10 M, 16 F; mean age 41 yr), 5.51 micromol/l (1.33-22.90) in 22 patients with psoriasis (11 M, 11 F; mean age 46 yr) and 4.29 micromol/l (2.54-7.26) in 24 controls. There is significant difference of cough sensitivity (C2) between patients with atopic dermatitis and healthy volunteers (p<0.001) and also between patients with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis (p<0.001). Cough sensitivity (C2) in atopic dermatitis patients without clinical respiratory symptoms is significantly increased. In patients with psoriasis cough sensitivity (C2) is not significantly changed.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Asymptomatic shedding of herpes simplex virus into the oral cavity of patients with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Asymptomatic shedding of herpes simplex virus (HSV) into the oral cavity is one of the important sources of the infection. OBJECTIVES: We anticipated that the oral cavity is one of the possible sites of initial recurrence in patients with recurrent-type eczema herpeticum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oral swabs were collected from 24 patients with atopic dermatitis aged from 13 to 29 years, and as a control population, from seven patients with skin diseases other than atopic dermatitis aged from 16 to 29 years. We tried to detect HSV DNA by the polymerase chain reaction method. RESULTS: HSV DNA was detected in eight out of 31 specimens from 15 patients with facial lesions of atopic dermatitis, and in one of 15 specimens from nine patients without facial atopic dermatitis, and in two of ten specimens from seven patients with other skin diseases. However, these differences are not statistically significant. Moreover, no patients developed eczema herpeticum during the period of this study. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that facial atopic dermatitis may not lead to oral HSV shedding, and there may be little opportunity for the virus in the oral cavity to contaminate other skin sites in adolescents and adults.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Hemidesmosomal molecular changes in dermatitis herpetiformis; decreased expression of BP230 and plectin/HD1 in uninvolved skin.

Recent BP230-knockout experiments with subsequent blistering and recently identified plectin/HD1 mutations in epidermolysis bullosa simplex patients suggest that defective expression of BP230 and plectin/HD1 may predispose to blister formation in human skin. We have studied the expression of the epithelial adhesion complex as well as the basement membrane and anchoring fibril antigens in uninvolved dermatitis herpetiformis skin to find out if alterations can be detected in these structures predisposing to the blister formation typical of the disease. Ten uninvolved dermatitis herpetiformis skin specimens, which all showed clear granular deposits of IgA under the basement membrane in direct immunofluorescence and five normal skin specimens, were studied by indirect immunofluorescence technique. Six uninvolved dermatitis herpetiformis skin specimens showed distinctly decreased immunoreaction for BP230 and four uninvolved dermatitis herpetiformis skin specimens showed distinctly decreased immunoreaction for plectin/HD1. All five skin controls showed strong immunoreactions for BP230 and plectin/HD1. Other hemidesmosomal proteins including BP180 and integrin alpha6beta4, as well as basement membrane proteins laminin-5, laminin-1, nidogen and type IV collagen, and the anchoring fibril protein type VII collagen showed a normal strong expression. Our results suggest that alterations in BP230 and plectin/HD1 may contribute or predispose to blister formation in dermatitis herpetiformis skin.

Autoantigens↗
PubMed1999

Bone mass and metabolism in dermatitis herpetiformis.

Dermatitis herpetiformis is a gluten-sensitive skin disease with intestinal lesions and malabsorption symptoms less severe than those found in celiac disease. While several studies have shown the occurrence of osteopenia in celiac disease, bone mass and metabolism have never before been evaluated in dermatitis herpetiformis. Therefore, in 16 untreated patients, 16 sex- and age-matched untreated celiac patients, and 16 sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers, lumbar and femoral bone mineral density were measured and bone and mineral metabolism and nutritional status were evaluated. All these parameters were significantly altered in the two groups of patients and although the degree of these alterations was milder in patients with dermatitis herpetiformis than in celiac patients, the presence of subtotal villous atrophy in patients with dermatitis herpetiformis was associated with the presence of more severe alterations. Bone mineral density was significantly correlated with nutritional status, and patients showing bone loss were characterized by a body mass index lower than 20. Alterations of bone mass and mineral metabolism complicate dermatitis herpetiformis when severe intestinal lesions coexist. A low nutritional status may be predictive of the presence of bone loss.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2002

Phytotherapy of chronic dermatitis and pruritus of dogs with a topical preparation containing tea tree oil (Bogaskin).

Localised dermatitis, for example unspecific eczema or skinfold pyoderma, is a very common diagnosis in dogs. Typical and impressive complaints are pruritus, erythema, erosion and oozing surface. With respect to the underlying disease dermatological treatment is indicated, usually based on antimicrobial and antipruriginous active substances, it can include transient glucocorticoids. An effective and safe alternative might be a phytotherapeutic topical preparation containing tea tree oil. Tea tree oil exerts both antimicrobial and antipruriginous effects. In an open multicenter study efficacy and safety of a standardized 10% tea tree oil cream applied thinly and twice daily for 4 weeks was tested in 53 dogs with chronic dermatitis, particularly non-specific eczema, allergic dermatitis, interdigital pyoderma, acral lick dermatitis and skinfold pyoderma. Analysis of efficacy assessed by investigating veterinarians showed a good or very good response to treatment for 82% of the dogs, significant at a 5% level (p = 0.05). At the end of the study a strong and significant reduction (p = 0.001) as well as disappearance of major symptoms were observed. Only two adverse events (local reactions) possibly related to tea tree oil occurred during therapy. Consequently the tested study medication (Bogaskin) can be considered an alternative for uncomplicated and localised dermatitis in dogs. Bogaskin might allow reduction of other pharmaceutical products, perhaps even replace standard therapy.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2001

Urine eosinophil protein X (EPX) is an in vitro parameter of inflammation in atopic dermatitis of the adult age.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophils are important effector cells in several atopic diseases. The levels of eosinophil granule-derived mediators (ECP, EPX) in serum and body fluids have been proven to be correlated with disease activity in atopic respiratory diseases and atopic dermatitis. The study aimed to demonstrate an interrelationship between urine EPX and disease activity in adult patients with atopic dermatitis. METHODS: We determined urine EPX concentration, serum ECP concentration, and peripheral blood eosinophil count in 40 adult patients with mild to severe atopic dermatitis and compared it with the disease activity as assessed with the SCORAD index. RESULTS: Urine EPX and serum ECP concentrations were significantly higher in patients with severe atopic dermatitis than in patients with mild or moderate disease (median values 123.5 vs 78.3 microg/mmol creatinine, P<0.0001; 25.4 vs 14.9 microg/l, P<0.0001, respectively). We found a significant correlation between urine EPX levels, serum ECP levels, and the SCORAD (r=0.36, P<0.0001 and 0.34, P<0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Urine EPX is a useful in vitro parameter of inflammation in atopic dermatitis of the adult age.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

What do trainee hairdressers know about hand dermatitis?

Hand dermatitis is an important cause of morbidity in hairdressers. We conducted a questionnaire survey of 121 trainee hairdressers from 2 hairdressing colleges in Burnley (UK). The questionnaire concerned the number and types of hairdressing procedures performed, previous and current medical history, awareness of risks to the skin from hairdressing, and knowledge of hand dermatitis prevention. 17% of the trainees suffered currently from hand dermatitis. This is likely to be due to the large amount of wet work done by apprentice hairdressers, particularly those who worked in salons. 2/3 of trainees were not aware that atopic eczema predisposed to hand dermatitis. Formal pre-school and pre-employment counselling was limited. Knowledge on hand care among trainees was not often translated into practice, with gloves being worn by only 9% when shampooing and 58% when perming. Prevention of hand dermatitis by education and pre-employment counselling is of fundamental importance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Expression of dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (CD26) on CD8+ T cells is significantly decreased in patients with psoriasis vulgaris and atopic dermatitis.

T cells play a major role in inflammatory skin disorders such as psoriasis vulgaris and atopic dermatitis. They are both active on the level of cell-to-cell interaction and by the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators. CD26 is a lymphocyte membrane-associated dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV), which is able to inactivate chemokines such as RANTES or eotaxin by cleaving dipeptides from the NH2-terminus of proteins. We investigated the expression of CD26 on CD4+ and CD8+ peripheral blood T cells in patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. In addition PASI and SCORAD as a measure of disease severity were determined in each patient at the time of blood drawing. Thirty patients with psoriasis, 15 with atopic dermatitis and 17 age- and sex-matched healthy persons were investigated by two-colour flow cytometry using epitope-specific monoclonal antibodies. Our results revealed, that there is a significant decrease (P<0.05) of CD26 expression on CD8+ T cells in both psoriasis (7.7%+/-3.3, mean and SD, n=30) and atopic dermatitis patients (7.9%+/-3.7, mean and SD, n=15) compared to the control population (11.58%+/-5.0, mean and SD, n=17). However, there was no correlation to disease severity as determined by PASI and SCORAD, respectively. Since CD26 can be regarded as an anti-inflammatory principle the decreased expression in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis patients may lead to a dysbalance in favour of pro-inflammatory mediators in both clinical conditions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

A major susceptibility locus for atopic dermatitis maps to chromosome 3q21.

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with onset mainly in early childhood It is commonly the initial clinical manifestation of allergic disease, often preceding the onset of respiratory allergies. Along with asthma and allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis is an important manifestation of atopy that is characterized by the formation of allergy antibodies (IgE) to environmental allergens. In the developed countries, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis is approximately 15%, with a steady increase over the past decades. Genetic and environmental factors interact to determine disease susceptibility and expression, and twin studies indicate that the genetic contribution is substantial. To identify susceptibility loci for atopic dermatitis, we ascertained 199 families with at least two affected siblings based on established diagnostic criteria. A genome-wide linkage study revealed highly significant evidence for linkage on chromosome 3q21 (Zall=4.31, P= 8.42 10(-6)). Moreover, this locus provided significant evidence for linkage of allergic sensitization under the assumption of paternal imprinting (hlod=3.71,alpha=44%), further supporting the presence of an atopy gene in this region. Our findings indicate that distinct genetic factors contribute to susceptibility to atopic dermatitis and that the study of this disease opens new avenues to dissect the genetics of atopy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Prevention and regression of atopic dermatitis by ointment containing NF-kB decoy oligodeoxynucleotides in NC/Nga atopic mouse model.

Atopic dermatitis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by relapsing eczema and intense prurigo, requires effective and safe pharmacological therapy. In this study, we examined the efficacy of ointment containing NF-kB decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) on atopic dermatitis lesions in NC/Nga mice, which are characterized by the spontaneous onset of atopic dermatitis in conventional conditions. Topical administration of NF-kB decoy ODN twice a month resulted in a significant reduction in clinical skin condition score and marked improvement of histological findings. Reduction of the atopic skin condition by NF-kB decoy ODN was accompanied by a significant decrease in migration of mast cells into the dermis and an increase in apoptotic cells. Here, we demonstrated the successful treatment of atopic dermatitis with ointment containing NF-kB decoy ODN in a mouse model, promising new therapy for atopic dermatitis.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed2001

Psychosocial factors and adherence to treatment advice in childhood atopic dermatitis.

Poor adherence to maintenance treatment for atopic dermatitis and anxiety about using topical steroids are common features seen among children with atopic dermatitis and their mothers. No systematic study exploring factors associated with adherence to treatment advice on atopic dermatitis has been carried out to date. This study seeks to generate hypotheses regarding the relationship between a range of psychosocial factors and adherence to treatment advice on atopic dermatitis. An anonymous self-completed questionnaire containing adherence items, psychosocial items, some demographic items, and attitudes to steroid use was given to 258 mothers of atopic dermatitis follow-up patients who attended the National Children's Hospital, Tokyo. Responses from 205 families (80%) with complete data were then analyzed to explore the correlation between each factor and to build a structure equation model. The strongest predictor of adherence to skin-care treatment was a good doctor-patient (mother) relationship, followed by the severity of the disease as perceived by the mother. Surprisingly, the mother's anxiety about using topical steroids had no significant influence on reported use of topical steroids nor on adherence to skin-care treatment. This may have been overcome by the well-established doctor-patient (mother) relationship. Maternal personality, husband's cooperation, and social support were indirectly correlated with adherence via the doctor-patient relationship. Maternal self-efficacy of treatment was strengthened by good doctor-patient (mother) relationship.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Trends in the prevalence of atopic dermatitis in school children: longitudinal study in Osaka Prefecture, Japan, from 1985 to 1997.

BACKGROUND: The authors have carried out questionnaire surveys of health symptoms in school children (aged 7-12 years) in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. In this study, the geographical distribution of and trends in the prevalence of atopic dermatitis were evaluated. OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between the prevalence of atopic dermatitis in children and the environmental factors, and to estimate future changes of the prevalence of atopic dermatitis. METHODS: A total of seven population surveys were carried out at 2-year intervals between 1985 and 1997 in a total of about 4 million primary school children (460 000-740 000 per survey). RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of atopic dermatitis increased from 15.0% in 1985 to 24.1% in 1993 but levelled off thereafter. According to the school year, the prevalence was higher in lower-year pupils. However, the prevalence stopped rising earlier in lower-year pupils and began to decrease in 1997 in first- to third-year pupils. The prevalence according to areas was significantly correlated negatively with air pollution and positively with the income index. According to the income classes, the prevalence increased until 1993 but levelled off thereafter in all classes, which reduced the differences among the classes. CONCLUSIONS: The increase of the prevalence of atopic dermatitis in school children stopped in 1993 in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. It is conceivable that the prevalence had reached the saturation level.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2003

Addition of fexofenadine to a topical corticosteroid reduces the pruritus associated with atopic dermatitis in a 1-week randomized, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study.

BACKGROUND: Fexofenadine, a nonsedating, H1-receptor selective antihistamine, exhibits consistent efficacy and safety in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and urticaria. The pruritus associated with atopic dermatitis is considered to be induced, in part, by histamine. Therefore, we thought that fexofenadine may be useful in the relief of pruritus associated with atopic dermatitis. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of twice-daily fexofenadine hydrochloride (HCl) 60 mg vs. placebo in reducing the pruritus associated with atopic dermatitis. METHODS: In this randomized, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, patients (aged >or= 16 years) with atopic dermatitis underwent a 1-week placebo lead-in period, followed by randomization to fexofenadine HCl 60 mg twice daily or placebo for 1 week. All patients also received topical treatment with 0.1% hydrocortisone butyrate twice daily throughout the study. The primary efficacy endpoint was mean change in pruritus score from baseline. Patients reflectively recorded pruritus scores twice daily (day and night) using a five-point scale (0 = none; 4 = very severe). RESULTS: Fexofenadine (n = 201) significantly decreased the severity of pruritus compared with placebo (n = 199) (mean change in score -0.75 (unadjusted 95% confidence interval [-0.88, -0.62]) vs. -0.5 [-0.62, -0.38], respectively; P = 0.0005). This improvement was seen after just 1 day of treatment (P = 0.039) and was maintained throughout the treatment period (P = 0.019). Compared with placebo, fexofenadine significantly improved both diurnal (P = 0.0001) and nocturnal pruritus (P = 0.013). In addition, significantly more patients in the fexofenadine group experienced a reduction in the ratio of pruritus area to body surface area compared with those in the placebo group (P = 0.007). The incidence of adverse events was low and similar across all treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Fexofenadine HCl 60 mg twice daily demonstrated a rapid, significant improvement in the pruritus associated with atopic dermatitis, with a safety profile equivalent to that of placebo.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Atopic dermatitis in early infancy predicts allergic airway disease at 5 years.

BACKGROUND: Screening tests for atopy risk in newborns have a low predictive value. If early atopic symptoms and signs could be used as predictors for the next expected atopic disorder then secondary prevention could be employed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of early atopic dermatitis to predict aeroallergen sensitization and the manifestation of respiratory atopic disorders at 5 years of age. METHODS: 1314 children of a German prospective birth cohort study MAS-90 were followed from birth up to 5 years of age. Atopic dermatitis, asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis were diagnosed from symptoms and signs at physical examinations and by interviews of the parents. Blood was drawn at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years of age. Aeroallergen sensitization was diagnosed by a specific IgE value of at least 0.35 kU/L (CAP class > or = 1) against any of five respiratory allergens (mite, cat, dog, birch, grass). RESULTS: Atopic dermatitis in the first 3 months was a risk factor for aeroallergen sensitization at 5 years. The risk increased with a positive family history for atopic diseases. Seventy-seven per cent of children with two atopic parents and early atopic dermatitis were sensitized against aeroallergens at 5 years, i.e. could have been predicted in early infancy without any laboratory tests. Although these risk factors were also significantly associated with the manifestation of allergic airway disease, the positive predictive value for this outcome at age 5 years was not yet as high, i.e. 50%. CONCLUSION: Infants with very early signs of atopic dermatitis and a positive family history are candidates for early intervention measures against respiratory allergies.

Allergens↗
PubMed1997

Density of gamma/delta+ T cells in the jejunal epithelium of patients with coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis is increased with age.

Increased density of gamma/delta T cell receptor (TCR)+ intraepithelial lymphocytes is the only characteristic in the jejunum of patients with coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis which is not normalized on a gluten-free diet. We explored the age-dependent changes in intraepithelial gamma/delta and alpha/beta TCR+ cells from 137 biopsies from patients with coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis and from controls. Biopsy specimens from 100 patients with coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis and from 37 controls were studied with an immunohistochemical method using MoAbs to T cell receptors and peroxidase staining. An increase in the density of intraepithelial gamma/delta T cells above the mean +2 s.d. of the density in controls was present in 97 of 100 specimens from patients with coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis. The density of gamma/delta+ cells of patients with coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis on a normal gluten-containing diet showed a positive correlation with age (r = 0.45, P < 0.0001). In controls, the density of gamma/delta+ cells remained low throughout the age-range studies, from age 0.6-57 years. In controls, alpha/beta+ cells increased with age (r = 0.57, P < 0.001). The increase in density of intraepithelial lymphocytes with age is in agreement with their thymus-independent character and local proliferation.

Adolescent↗