Hideaki Yamaura

Evaluation of RAST in atopic dermatitis.

Eighty‐two patients with atopic dermatitis were examined for specific IgE antibodies by RAST. A higher number of positive RAST reactions were found in patients with high serum IgE values and with coexisting asthma and/or allergic rhinitis. Positive RAST reactions against mite and house dust were found in many of these patients and even in about one‐half of patients with atopic dermatitis only. The comparisons between intradermal tests and RAST were made with various allergens and the mite extract showed the best agreement between these two tests.

A CASE OF LICHEN MYXEDEMATOSUS ASSOCIATED WITH IMMUNOLOGICAL ABNORMALITIES

A 33‐year‐old male consulted us with symptoms of band‐like infiltration, thickenning and subcutaneous induration occurring in the face, chest, back, shoulder and upper extremities. In the following time he developed arthralgia, fever and ocular symptoms. Laboratory tests revealed normal thyroid functions and a normal bone marrow picture, but there were immunological abnormalities such as reduced cellular immunity, decrease in C 3 (beta 1c/1a) and positive antinuclear antibody. Histologically, there was an increase in fibroblasts and deposits of hyaluronic acid were revealed histochemically. A diagnosis of lichen myxedematosus was established.