Value of Interleukins 4, 10, 12, 18 and Interferon Gamma in Acute Versus Chronic Atopic Dermatitis

Background. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with 2 phases, acute and chronic. No therapeutic attempts has yet been tried to target these phases rather than treatment according to severity grade. Animal and in vitro studies pointed to interleukin (IL)-18 as key player in the pathogenesis of AD and the switch between its two phases. Objective. To evaluate serum IL-18 among other T helper (Th) cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, and interferon (IFN)-Υ) in acute and chronic AD. Patients and methods. Thirty AD patients classified into acute and chronic groups, in addition to 20 control subjects were included. Serum IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, IL-18, IFN-ã and serum IgE were estimated by ELISA and the results were interpreted. Results. IL-12, IL-18 and IFN-Υ levels were 2 - 4 folds more in chronic compared to acute AD patients, whereas other studied Th2 cytokines, IL4 and IL10, were significantly higher in acute compared to chronic AD patients. IL-18 correlated positively with disease severity. Conclusion. IL-12 and IL-18 has a pivotal role in acute and chronic AD. IL-18 measurement is a valuable tool for assessment of disease severity.