Eosinophils in atopic dermatitis.

The eosinophilic granulocyte is commonly associated with allergic inflammation. Although blood eosinophilia frequently accompanies atopic dermatitis, accumulation of tissue eosinophils is not prominent. Recent studies have elucidated the structure, content, and activities of the eosinophil. In addition, immunofluorescence localization of eosinophil granulate proteins has shown that eosinophils disrupt in tissue depositing toxic granule proteins in several diseases. Here, evidence for eosinophil degranulation in atopic dermatitis is presented and mechanisms whereby eosinophil degranulation may mediate pathophysiologic effects in atopic dermatitis and related conditions are discussed.