Fig. 2.

Transition of plasma sCD30 and sCD26 levels in association with exacerbation followed by treatment in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. (a) Plasma was obtained when the eruptions were aggravated (Pre) and after treatment (Post), then sCD30 and sCD26 levels were estimated using ELISA. These values during aggravation status and after treatment were compared using the paired t-test and those after treatment and non-atopic controls were compared using the unpaired t-test. Patients were divided into two groups; one consisted of patients whose eruption score was reduced > 50% (n = 14) and the other consisted of those whose score was reduced < 50% (n = 31), then the values of log sCD30 (b) and log sCD26 (c) during exacerbation and after treatment were compared using the paired t-test. *P < 0·05.