A patient with atopic dermatitis and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) had demonstrated blood eosinophilia, high levels of serum IgE and intracytoplasmic IL-4 in the CD8+ but not in the CD4+ cells, decreased numbers of CD4+ cells, and low levels of IL-2 in both CD4+ and CD8+ cells. These results, reflecting a predominant influence of type 2 CD8+ cells, suggest they were involved in the genesis exacerbation of the patient's atopic dermatitis.