High IgE levels in patients affected by psoriasis: review of the literature and personal observations

The concomitance of psoriasis and high IgE levels in the same patient, possibly associated to allergies, should not come as a surprise anymore, because both diseases are characterised by an immunological disorder, involving cytokines and other infl ammatory mediators, with massive activation of the cell-mediated immunity. Materials and Methods. During a period of 18 months, using a radio-immunologic method, we assessed the level of IgE in patients with severe psoriasis who were not responding to the common therapy. Results. Patients with severe psoriasis had high levels of IgE. Conclusions. IgEs have an important role in pathogenesis of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, but the mechanism is not yet clear.