[The correlation between the levels of anti-Malassezia furfur IgE antibodies and severities of face and neck dermatitis of patients with atopic dermatitis].

It is well known that the seborrheic areas including the face and neck of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) are frequently affected after adolescence. Malassezia furfur (MF), a lipophilic yeast and a normal habitat of seborrheic areas, has been thought to be one of the most important factors in provoking face and neck lesions of AD. In the present study, we assessed serum levels of anti-MF IgE antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (AlaSTAT method) in 123 adolescent and adult AD patients and evaluated the correlations between levels of anti-MF IgE and those of total IgE and some other allergen-specific IgE. The correlation between the levels of anti-MF IgE and severities of face and neck dermatitis was also assessed. Anti-MF IgE antibodies were detected in high frequency in AD patients (77%), while they were not found in controls. Significant correlations were noted between the levels of anti-MF IgE and those of total IgE and anti-Candida IgE. The levels of anti-MF IgE were well correlated with the severities of face and neck dermatitis. These result may indicate that MF is an important provocative factor for face and neck dermatitis in AD patients.