Atopic dermatitis and Ritter's disease: differential diagnosis by means of total and specific serum IgE. 1978

B M Zussman

Atopic dermatitis and Ritter's disease in infants and children frequently present diagnostic as well as therapeutic problems. Both conditions are characterized by generalized exfoliative dermatitis, and are prone to recurrent infections with Staphylococcus. However, in Ritter's disease, it has been shown that these are specifically coagulase-positive Staphylococcus phage Group 2 organisms. This combination of exfoliative dermatitis, with lysis and separation of the skin, associated with infection has been aptly named the staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. An unusual case is reported herein of a nine year old boy who had a condition clinically resembling Ritter's disease since birth, but with enormously elevated total and specific serum IgE levels characteristic of atopic dermatitis and not seen in Ritter's disease.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007073 Immunoglobulin E An immunoglobulin associated with MAST CELLS. Overexpression has been associated with allergic hypersensitivity (HYPERSENSITIVITY, IMMEDIATE). IgE
D008297 Male Males
D011239 Prednisolone A glucocorticoid with the general properties of the corticosteroids. It is the drug of choice for all conditions in which routine systemic corticosteroid therapy is indicated, except adrenal deficiency states. Di-Adreson-F,Predate,Predonine,Di Adreson F,DiAdresonF
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D003873 Dermatitis, Exfoliative The widespread involvement of the skin by a scaly, erythematous dermatitis occurring either as a secondary or reactive process to an underlying cutaneous disorder (e.g., atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, etc.), or as a primary or idiopathic disease. It is often associated with the loss of hair and nails, hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles, and pruritus. (From Dorland, 27th ed) Dermatitis Exfoliative,Dermatitis Exfoliative Generalised,Dermatitis Exfoliative Generalized,Erythroderma,Dermatitis Exfoliativa,Dermatitis Exfoliative Generaliseds,Dermatitis Exfoliatives,Erythrodermas,Exfoliative Dermatitides,Exfoliative Dermatitis,Exfoliative Generalised, Dermatitis,Exfoliative Generalized, Dermatitis,Exfoliative, Dermatitis,Exfoliatives, Dermatitis,Generalised, Dermatitis Exfoliative
D003876 Dermatitis, Atopic A chronic inflammatory genetically determined disease of the skin marked by increased ability to form reagin (IgE), with increased susceptibility to allergic rhinitis and asthma, and hereditary disposition to a lowered threshold for pruritus. It is manifested by lichenification, excoriation, and crusting, mainly on the flexural surfaces of the elbow and knee. In infants it is known as infantile eczema. Eczema, Atopic,Eczema, Infantile,Neurodermatitis, Atopic,Neurodermatitis, Disseminated,Atopic Dermatitis,Atopic Eczema,Atopic Neurodermatitis,Disseminated Neurodermatitis,Infantile Eczema
D003877 Dermatitis, Contact A type of acute or chronic skin reaction in which sensitivity is manifested by reactivity to materials or substances coming in contact with the skin. It may involve allergic or non-allergic mechanisms. Contact Dermatitis,Dermatitis Venenata,Eczema, Contact,Hypersensitivity, Contact,Sensitivity, Contact,Contact Dermatitides,Contact Eczema,Contact Hypersensitivities,Contact Hypersensitivity,Contact Sensitivities,Contact Sensitivity,Dermatitides, Contact,Hypersensitivities, Contact,Sensitivities, Contact
D003937 Diagnosis, Differential Determination of which one of two or more diseases or conditions a patient is suffering from by systematically comparing and contrasting results of diagnostic measures. Diagnoses, Differential,Differential Diagnoses,Differential Diagnosis
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000918 Antibody Specificity The property of antibodies which enables them to react with some ANTIGENIC DETERMINANTS and not with others. Specificity is dependent on chemical composition, physical forces, and molecular structure at the binding site. Antibody Specificities,Specificities, Antibody,Specificity, Antibody

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