Ijaz Ahmed, Zarnaz Wahid.
A review of pathogenesis of Atopic Dermatitis.
J Pak Assoc Derma Jan ;11(3):21-7.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown origin Pathogenesis of this disease involves a complex interplay of endogenous as well as exogenous factors The genetically determined intrinsic immune defects lead to an impaired secretion of interleukins e.g. IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-11 and IL-13. The net effect is an excessive production of IgE antibodies in response to wide variety of exogenous factors. Exogenous factors predisposing to the excessive production of IgE antibody include mite, bacteria, fungus, foods, medicaments, dust, pollens, animal hair, smoke, irritants like sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxide etc. and drugs e.g. aspirin, NSAIDs, antibiotics. These antibodies remain attached to mast cells and basophils. On re-exposure to the same antigen freshly formed antibodies form complexes with these antigens. The complexes in turn get attached to the already prefixed IgE antibodies on the surface of mast cells and basophils. This interaction on the surface of these cells result in the release of chemical mediators like bradykinin, serotonin, prostaglandins, eosinophil count is in turn raised to detoxify these mediators. An important role is played by psychological factors.

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