A controlled longitudinal study evaluated the expression of the mucosa-associated epithelial chemokine CCL28 in childhood atopic dermatitis (AD) and bronchial asthma (BA). Its putative relationship to disease severity and activity was evaluated. There were 36 children (8-120 months) with AD, 23 with BA and 14 with both AD and BA. An age- and gender-matched control group (n = 21) was included. Disease severity and activity were assessed by the Leicester Sign Score (LSS) and the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index. Serum CCL28 levels were significantly higher in AD patients (whether in flare or remission) versus controls. The levels during flare and remission were comparable. In BA patients serum CCL28 levels were significantly ...