Background: A randomized, double-blind study designed to compare the efficacy of DermaSilk® versus a sleeve of similar structure but minus the AEM 5772/5 antimicrobial finish in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect of adding an antimicrobial finish to knitted silk garments on eczema severity and on pruritus in patients with AD. Methods: Thirty patients aged between 3 and 31 years (mean 14.2 ± 7.7) were enrolled. The inclusion criterion was that the patients presented with active AD with eczematous lesions located on the arms without any sign of infection. Each participant was given a set of 4 pairs of knitted silk tubular sleeves marked with seams of different colours. Only one colour was treated with AEGIS AEM 5772/5. This information was unknown to both the clinicians and the patients/parents. At baseline (T0) and after 7 (T7), 14 (T14), 21 (T21) and 28 (T28) days, the patients were evaluated using the following methods: photographic assessment, local modified SCORAD index adapted for only the arm, and parent/patient assessment of pruritus measured with a visual analogue scale. Results: The mean local SCORAD index of both the DermaSilk- and the unmodified-silk-covered arms decreased significantly between baseline (T0) and the end of study (T28). However, while the Derma-Silk group showed a constant decrease each week, the unmodified-silk group showed a significant decrease only in the first 2 weeks of the study. Also the decrease in pruritus values between T0 and T28 was greater for the DermaSilk group. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the importance of including the AEM 5772/5 finish to the specially knitted silk for a long-term improvement of atopic eczema symptoms.

Keywords:
Atopic dermatitis, AEGIS AEM 5772/5, Sericin-free silk
1.
Williams JR, Burr ML, Williams HC: Factor influencing atopic dermatitis – a questionnaire survey of schoolchildren’s perceptions. Br J Dermatol 2004;150:1154–1161.
2.
Bendsoe N, Bjornberg A, Asnes H: Itching from wool fibres in atopic dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 1987;17:21–22.
3.
Leung DYM, Bieber T: Atopic dermatitis. Lancet 2003;361:151–160.
4.
Aly R, Maibach HI, Shinefield HR: Microbial flora of atopic dermatitis. Arch Dermatol 1977;113:780–782.
5.
Roll A, Cozzio A, Fischer B, Schmid-Grendelmeier P: Microbial colonization and atopic dermatitis. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2004;4:373–378.
6.
Stalder JF, Fleury M, Sourisse M, et al: Comparative effects of two topical antiseptics (chlorhexidine vs KMnO4) on bacterial skin flora in atopic dermatitis. Acta Derm Venereol Suppl (Stockh) 1992;176:132–134.
7.
Lever R, Hadley K, Downey D, Mackie R: Staphylococcal colonization in atopic dermatitis and the effect of topical mupirocin therapy. Br J Dermatol 1988;119:189–198.
8.
Harindranath N, Prakash OM, Rao PVS: Prevalence of occupational asthma in silk filatures. Ann Allergy 1985;55:511–515.
9.
Uragoda CG, Wijekoon PN: Asthma in silk workers. J Soc Occup Med 1991;41:140–142.
10.
Gettings RL, Triplett BL: A new durable antimicrobial finish for texiles. AATCC Book of Papers 1978, pp 259–261.
11.
Hanifin JM, Rajka G: Diagnostic features of atopic dermatitis. Acta Derm Venereol Suppl (Stockh) 1980;92:44–47.
12.
Oranje AP, Glazenburg EJ, Wolkerstorfer A, de Waard-van der Spek FB: Practical issues on interpretation of scoring atopic dermatitis: the SCORAD index, objective SCORAD and the three-item severity score. Br J Dermatol 2007;157:645–648.
13.
Senti G, Steinmann LS, Fischer B, et al: Antimicrobial silk clothing in the treatment of atopic dermatitis proves comparable to topical corticosteroid treatment. Dermatology 2006;213:228–233.
14.
Koller DY, Halmerbauer G, Böck A, Engstler G: Action of a silk fabric treated with AEGIS in children with atopic dermatitis: a 3-month trial. Paediatr Allergy Immunol 2007;18:335–338.
15.
Ricci G, Patrizi A, Mandrioli P, et al: Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of a special silk textile in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Dermatology 2006;213:224–227.
16.
Ricci G, Patrizi A, Bendandi B, et al: Clinical effectiveness of a silk fabric in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Br J Dermatol 2004;150:127–131.
© 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel
2008
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.