RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder. Immunological/inflammatory reactions are reported to play a role in AD but their role in disease activity has not been fully investigated. This study was done to investigate the role of immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin (IL)-18 and IL-12 in AD patients with different disease severities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sera from 50 AD infants with varying levels of disease activity according to the scoring index of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index and 30 age-matched healthy controls were evaluated for serum levels of IgE, IL-18 and IL-12/p40. RESULTS: Serum analysis showed higher levels of IgE, IL-18 or IL-12/p40 in AD patients compared with controls. Interestingly, not only was there an increased number of subjects positive for IgE, IL-18 or IL-12/p40, but also the levels of these parameters were higher among AD patients whose SCORAD scores were higher. In addition, a significant correlation was observed between the levels of these parameters and SCORAD scores. CONCLUSION: These findings support an association between IgE, IL-18 or IL-12/p40 and AD. The stronger response observed in serum samples from patients with higher SCORAD scores suggest that IgE, IL-18 and IL-12/p40 may be useful in evaluating the progression of AD and in elucidating the mechanisms of disease pathogenesis.