Subpopulations of lymphocytes and lymphocyte transformation tests in atopic dermatitis: Evaluation of a systemic treatment with a new chromone compound and comparison with a normal group

Abstract

In 28 adult patients with atopic dermatitis participating in a double-blind controlled clinical trial for systemic treatment with a new chromone compound, immune monitoring were performed with a number of in vitro tests. The parameters were phytohemagglutinin, pokeweed mitogen, concanavalin A, purified protein tuberculin derivative, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, streptokinase/streptodornase, and allogene lymphocytes in a one-way mixed lymphocyte culture. No benefit could be proven for the drug in the clinical investigation or any change in the immunological tests during the trial. There was no demonstrable differences in the applied immunoparameters between mild and severe atopic dermatitis. The study group was compared with an age- and sex-matched control group and a general tendency to decreased T-cell function in the PHA, PWM, PPD and MLC tests together with a slightly increased HEAC percentage was found in the patients with atopic dermatitis.