Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common allergic disorder and may be associated with respiratory allergy. In this study serum levels of IgE specific for the major allergen of birch (Bet v 1) were measured in two groups of AD patients with specific IgE to birch: the first with associated respiratory birch allergy and the second with cutaneous symptoms alone. The results show that the patients suffering from AD associated with respiratory allergy had the highest serum levels of IgE specific for Bet v 1. In conclusion, this study shows that the measurement of serum specific IgE for a major allergen may be useful in common practice as high levels are associated with complicated pathology.
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