Intravenous immune globulin effects on serum-soluble CD5 levels in atopic dermatitis

Background Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) therapy has been tried in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Recently, the presence of serum-soluble CD5 (ssCD5) in atopic dermatitis was reported. Objective WIG effects on ssCD5 levels in atopic dermatitis were examined and the correlation of ssCD5 level changes with clinical and laboratory parameters were investigated. Methods IVIG therapy was tried on 40 atopic dermatitis and 17 recurrent spontaneous abortion patients. Five atopic dermatitis patients received normal saline as a placebo control group. The clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated on day 0, 1, 7 and 21 after administering the MG therapy. Results With WIG therapy, in atopic dermatitis, the ssCD5 level was 5.5 +/- 6.2 ng/mL before infusion (day 0), 15.2 +/- 12.1 ng/mL on day 1, 13.8 +/- 14.1 ng/mL on day 7, and 3.9 +/- 4.1 ng/mL on day 21. The clinical severity score was 350.5 +/- 120.3 on day 0, 420.4 +/- 174.8 on day 1, 250.0 +/- 121.2 on day 7, and 115.5 +/- 53.9 on day 21. White blood cell (WBC) counts and serum IgE levels showed a gradual decrease with IVIG infusions. Blood eosinophil fractions were 5.3 +/- 2.8% on day 0, 8.6 +/- 5.2% on day 1, 7.3 +/- 3.7% on day 7, and 6.8 +/- 4.0% on day 21. Changes in the total eosinophil count were insignificantly parallel with those of blood eosinophil fractions Conclusion In atopic dermatitis, IVIG therapy increased the ssCD5 levels. Further studies concerning the exact role of ssCD5 are needed.