Humoral and Cellular Immunity in Different Phases of Contact Dermatitis

Abstract

The increasing occurrence of contact dermatitis and the current controversy on different immunological aspects involved in its development prompted us to study the immunological alterations associated with it. For this purpose we selected a group of contact dermatitis patients whom we monitored throughout a period involving three phases, namely an acute phase, an intercrisis phase after clinical healing and, finally, an acute breakout on recurrence of the lesions. In each of the phases were determined the following parameters: lymphocyte populations in peripheral blood, blood levels of the different immunoglobulins, cutaneous hypersensitivity tests, and active sensitization to DNCB. We also selected a group of healthy individuals who served as controls. We found significantly increased immunoglobin E (IgE) levels, but no changes in the IgG, IgA, or IgM levels in the three phases studied. We also found decreased CD4 and CD8 levels in peripheral blood in the acute phase of contact dermatitis. The cutaneous cell hypersensitivity tests revealed decreased reactivity and active sensitivity to DNCB in the intercrisis phase of contact dermatitis.