Evaluation of Patch Test with Dimethylsulfoxide in Association with Lymphocyte Proliferation in Food-sensitive Atopic Dermatitis

ABSTRACT

We have evaluated patch tests with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) in hen's-egg–sensitive atopic dermatitis (AD) patients associated with lymphocyte proliferative responses. The percentages of positive patch tests in patients with AD were higher than those in healthy children and patients with urticaria or angioedema. The maximal proliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to ovalbumin (OA) in patients with positive patch tests were significantly higher than those in patients with negative patch tests. Thus, patch tests with DMSO are useful for detecting the offending foods in AD patients, as well as the proliferative responses of PBMCs to food antigens, especially for patients in whom the offending foods are not detected by radioallergosorbent test (RAST). The reaction in skin region of the patch test may reflect the systemic response that is detected by proliferative responses of PBMCs to each food antigen in AD.