Purpose: Thymus and activation-regulated chemokine(TARC) is responsible for the trafficking of Th2 lymphocytes into sites of allergic inflammation. We tested whether TARC is a useful marker for childhood atopic dermatitis(AD) and we evaluated age-related differences in the level of TARC.
Methods: Serum TARC level, serum total IgE level, total eosinophil count and specific IgE level were measured in 401 children. They were characterized as having IgE-mediated atopic dermatitis(n=157), non-IgE mediated atopic dermatitis(n=107), or as healthy control subjects(n=137).
Results: TARC levels in AD significantly were higher than those in healthy control subjects.(152.9+/-11.6 vs 56.7+/-5.2 pg/mL, P<0.05) Serum TARC levels significantly correlated with disease severity(SCORAD index) both in children with IgE mediated AD(r=0.670, P<0.05) and children with non-IgE mediated AD.(r=0.605, P<0.05) Serum TARC levels in control subjects decreased in accordance with age.(r=-0.201, P<0.05)
Conclusion: Serum TARC might be a useful marker for disease severity both in children with IgE mediated AD and children with non-IgE mediated AD. Serum TARC levels in control subjects decreased in accordance with ages.