Study of circulating immune complexes in atopic dermatitis.

The authors examined sera from 92 patients (78 adults, 14 children) with atopic dermatitis (AD), for the presence of circulating immune complexes (CIC). Using the PEG precipitation technique they found an increase in CIC total protein. In the quantity of precipitated proteins, elevated IgA and IgG levels and decreased C3 in CIC were measured. Neither the acute nor the subacute stage of the disease, nor skin involvement, correlated with CIC. In increased content of CIC was found in patients who had AD with associated disease recurrent infections, recurrent conjunctivitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis) and especially with pustulosis varicelliformis Kaposi, i.e. eczema herpeticatum. The T lymphocytes, together with other surface complement receptor-positive cells, are able to induce CIC production and keep them in solution.