Values of complement, T- and B-lymphocytes and immune complexes in patients with skin allergies.

The aim of this pilot study was to determine the values of total complement, C3 and C4 fractions, C1-esterase inhibitor, T- and B-lymphocytes, and immune complexes in our patients with skin allergic disease. The purpose was to investigate the probability of type III hypersensitivity reaction in the development and onset of skin allergies. The values of these parameters were determined in ten patients with atopic dermatitis and ten patients with chronic allergic urticaria. Results showed most of the study subjects with atopic dermatitis (7/10) to have increased CH50 values, a finding not observed in the patients with chronic allergic urticaria (2/10) and healthy controls (0/10). No major changes in other parameteres were found in any of the patient groups. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was found among the three groups in CH50 and C4 values.