Which syndrome is characterized by eczema and the presence of cutaneous cold abscesses?

Hyper IgE syndrome, also known as Job's syndrome, is characterized by specific clinical features including eczema, recurrent skin and lung infections, and the presence of cold abscesses. Patients with this syndrome have elevated serum levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and are prone to infections due to defects in their immune response. The eczema often manifests in early childhood and is typically associated with eosinophilia.

The presence of cutaneous cold abscesses in these patients is a distinctive pathology linked to the inability of neutrophils to respond effectively to infections. Cold abscesses are particularly notable because they do not exhibit the typical inflammatory findings seen in standard abscesses, which is reflective of the underlying immunological defect that characterizes Hyper IgE syndrome.

This combination of eczema and cold abscesses provides a clear clinical picture that helps differentiate Hyper IgE syndrome from other immunodeficiencies and conditions such as common variable immunodeficiency, X-linked agammaglobulinemia, or adenosine deaminase deficiency, which have different clinical manifestations and immune dysfunction profiles.