A Preliminary Study of Interleukin 4 Detection in Atopic Pediatric and Adult Patients: Effect of Dietary Modification

Role of mucosal inflammation in eosinophilic esophagitis: review of the literature

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is increasingly recognized in adults. It is an inflammatory disease of the esophageal mucosa, with variable presentation, unresponsive to acid suppression therapy. The diagnosis requires histological confirmation of intense eosinophilic infiltration on esophageal biopsy specimen, however exact criteria required to make a diagnosis of EE is still being debated and a clear differentiation from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is important. Allergen elimination or anti-inflammatory therapy may be effective in such patients. The imperfect diagnostic criteria for EE mandate an understanding of the immunology and the pathophysiology of the disease. It may facilitate the introduction of novel treatment modalities in an individual unresponsive to acid suppression therapy. This paper describes basic elements of the immune-mediated injury to the esophageal mucosa and management aspects to provide a better understanding of the condition.

Association between CD62 ligand on naïve and memory T cells and history of cow's milk hypersensitivity in atopic patients

BACKGROUND

Both IgE and non-IgE cell-mediated reactions can contribute to the immunopathogenesis of food hypersensitivity.

OBJECTIVE

To study L-selectin expression in naïve (CD45RA+) and memory (CD45RO+) T cells in atopic patients with a history of cow's milk allergy and CD69 expression.

METHODS

We evaluated 12 children with a history of cow's milk allergy. All 12 children underwent clinical history, examination, in vivo skin prick testing to inhalants and milk allergen, and in vitro radioallergosorbent testing for milk and total serum IgE levels. L-selectin levels on naive and memory T cells from patients and controls were analyzed by flow cytometry with fluorochrome-conjugated monoclonal antibodies after 4 hours or 7 days of incubation with medium alone, 1 microg/mL of pokeweed mitogen, or 50 microg/mL of casein.

RESULTS

The percentage of CD45RA+ 62L+ cells with casein was 56% +/- 11% vs 38% +/- 7.7% in healthy controls (P < .009). The percentage of CD45RO- 62L+ cells was 22% +/- 7.1% vs 39% +/- 7.6% in healthy controls (P < .001), whereas the expression of CD62L+ in CD45RA+ and CD45RO+ cells decreased 149% +/- 33% vs 540% +/- 36% for healthy controls (P < .001) and 89% -+/- 16% vs 402% +/- 103% for healthy controls (P < .001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study demonstrate the presence of CD62 ligand on naive and memory T cells, which might serve as a predictive marker for atopic dermatitis withother overlapping atopic disorders, such as asthma and allergic rhinitis.