The present study investigated the relationship between serum thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) levels and the presence and severity of atopic dermatitis (AD). Serum TSLP levels, blood eosinophil counts, and serum total and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were measured in 232 children. Subjects were characterized as having atopic eczema (AE; n=75), non-atopic eczema (NAE; n=70), or normal controls (n=87). Serum TSLP levels in children with AD were significantly higher than normal controls but there were no differences in children with atopic and non-atopic eczema. However, serum TSLP levels in children with AD were not significantly correlated with disease severity, blood eosinophil counts and serum total IgE levels. Our findings show an association between TSLP and AD including both AE and NAE. It is suggested that TSLP may play a contributory role in the pathogenesis of AD regardless of the presence of atopy.
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