Gamma-globulin therapy in chronic staphylococcic dermatoses; a comparison of serum gamma-globulin levels and serum antibacterial activity.

Abstract

Bruton 1 reported that decreased serum γ-globulin may accompany susceptibility to infection. It is, therefore, important to consider dysgammaglobulinemia, hypogammaglobulinemia, and agammaglobulinemia in patients presenting acute and chronic infectious dermatoses. γ-Globulin serum levels have been extensively documented for many dermatologic entities, generally representing the acute infectious and severe varieties. The chronic dermatoses, in which staphylococcic diathesis is an important feature, have received less attention. The purpose of this study is to (1) determine whether the sera of patients with chronic staphylococcic dermatoses have a lowered antibacterial titer, (2) to determine whether the serum γ-globulin levels are reduced, and (3) to observe the response of these dermatoses to γ-globulin therapy. Investigational Methods Three general methods were used during this investigation. A. Clinical Classification of Chronic Staphylococcic Dermatoses and Response to γ-Globulin Therapy. —The chronic staphylococcic dermatoses are divided into diagnostic groups for a more