Studio preliminare sull’utilizzo degli Atopy Patch Test nella diagnosi della dermatite atopica

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic relapsing dermatitis evolving, with clinical, morphological and topographical characteristics for each age, due to the interaction between genetic factors (predisposing) and environmental factors (triggers). The pathogenesis of the disease is not yet known; unlike previously believed, has now been shown that in the pathogenesis, in addition to the known type I immunological reaction, comes in an immune cell-mediated type IV. For this reason it has become increasingly common practice of testing epicutaneous, using as allergens substances known to be held liable for allergic reactions of type I, the Atopy Patch Test. Our study aims to assess the utility, reproducibility and safety in using these tests for diagnostic analysis of atopic dermatitis. The results obtained confirm the usefulness of this test in understanding the mechanism of allergy in atopic subjects and to define the clinical relevance of allergens in triggering atopic dermatitis. By the results obtained we can say that the usefulness of this test seems more obvious to environmental allergens that food allergens, according to reports in the literature.