Abstract: Objective To investigate the relationship between the levels of total serum IgE and IL-4 in patients with seasonal contact dermatitis. Methods Total serum IgE was tested by immunoradiometric assay(IRMA) in 29 cases of seasonal contact dermatitis, 35 cases of allergic contact dermatitis and 24 cases of healthy controls. Production of IL-4 was detected by ELISA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cultured with PHA for 48 hours. Results The levels of IL-4 secreted by PBMC and total serum IgE were significantly higher in patient with seasonal contact dermatitis than those in control group (P<0.01 and P<0.01, respectively). Significant positive correlation was noticed between the levels of IL-4 and total serum IgE (r=0.96,P<0.001). Conclusion The immunopathology of seasonal contact dermatitis might differ from that of non seasonal contact dermatitis. The increased level of total serum IgE might be associated with the increased IL-4 secretion.

Key words: Dermatitis,contact, Interleukin 4, IGE