Defining the Percentage of T Helper 17 Cells in Patients with Eczema and Allergic Disease

Decreased percentage of Th17 is seen in Hyperimmunoglobulin E Syndrome (HIES), although reports have suggested that TH17 levels are also low in atopic disease. Since eczema is often the first, and sometimes only presenting symptom of HIES, it is important to differentiate between the two entities. The purpose of this project was to define age dependent normal percentages of Th17 cells in healthy control, patients with eczema and allergic disease, and compare that to known patients with HIES.