Six research developments in atopic dermatitis, eczema

Recent research developments in atopic dermatitis and eczema have included associations with infections, food allergens and asthma. Here are highlights of the results of six studies presented in Healio Allergy/Immunology:

1. Atopic dermatitis, warts associated with increased risk for infection

Associations between childhood atopic dermatitis, atopic disease, warts, and extracutaneous infections suggest that barrier disruption, immune disruption, or both contribute to susceptibility to warts and extracutaneous infections in children, according to researchers.

Jonathan I. Silverberg

“It is well established that barrier disruption related to [atopic dermatitis] is associated with increased cutaneous viral infections, including eczema herpeticum and molluscum contagiosum,” Jonathan I. Silverberg, MD, PhD, MPH, of the department of dermatology at Northwestern University in Chicago, and Nanette B. Silverberg, MD, of St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York, wrote. “However, there are conflicting reports about the risk for acquisition of warts in patients with [atopic dermatitis].” Read more

2. Atopic dermatitis frequently associated with food allergens in adults

Atopic dermatitis often was associated with food sensitization among adult patients, and the percentage of sensitization to animal food allergens appeared significantly greater among those with severe atopic dermatitis, according to data.

“Allergen specific IgE sensitization (symptomatic as well as asymptomatic) to a wide spectrum of food and aeroallergens is a common phenomenon in adult patients with [atopic dermatitis]; especially sensitization to house dust mite, pollen and (pollen-related cross-reactive) food allergens is frequently observed,” researchers at the University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands, wrote. Read more

3. Probiotics effectively treated atopic dermatitis in children, adults

Probiotics were effective as treatment for children and adults with atopic dermatitis (AD), but not for infants, according to results of a South Korean study.

“The overall result of this meta-analysis suggests that probiotics could be an option for the treatment of AD, especially for moderate to severe AD in children and adults,” the researchers concluded. Read more

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4. Wheeze, eczema stabilized as hay fever rose in Dutch schoolchildren

Wheeze in Dutch schoolchildren has stabilized since 2001, eczema has remained stable, and hay fever has increased more than 3% from 2001 and 2010, according to research presented at the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) annual congress in Copenhagen, Denmark.

“After a decreasing trend of wheeze prevalence … no further decrease was observed between 2001 and 2010,” the researchers concluded. “The prevalence of eczema remained stable between 2001 and 2010, while hay fever showed an increasing trend.” Read more

5. Preschool-aged children with AD, aeroallergen sensitization faced risk for asthma

Children with atopic dermatitis who developed sensitization to aeroallergens were more at risk for asthma during school years, according to research presented at the EAACI annual congress.

Elisabetta Calemelli

“Over the last decades, it has been strengthened, the so-called ‘atopic march’ theory, defined as the natural progression from [atopic dermatitis] AD toward the development of respiratory allergy,” Elisabetta Calamelli, MD, research assistant, pediatric allergy unit, University of Bologna, Italy, and colleagues reported. “Although longitudinal studies aimed to identify the possible risk factors for asthma, several aspects of this phenomenon still need to be clarified.” Read more

6. Race determined response to step-up therapies in children with asthma, eczema

Children with asthma without a history of eczema responded best to long-acting B-agonist step-up therapy, while those with asthma and eczema had different responses based on race, according to study results.

“If validated, these novel findings might provide a personalized approach in targeting interventions for children with uncontrolled asthma based on specific and easily obtainable clinical features such as a history of eczema and race/ethnicity,” the investigators wrote. Read more