Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of histiocytosis X and non-X histiocytoses.
The diagnostic reliability of ultrastructural and immunohistochemical examinations on routinely processed biopsy specimens of cutaneous histiocytic proliferations (histiocytosis X, n = 7; juvenile xanthogranuloma, n = 4; necrobiotic xanthogranuloma, n = 2; traumatic granuloma of the tongue, n = 1) was evaluated. S-100 protein, peanut agglutinin, and the antibody Mac-387 were used as markers for histiocytes. The frequency of Birbeck granule-containing cells in seven histiocytosis X lesions did not correspond with the number of S-100+ or peanut agglutinin+ cells. All neoplastic histiocytosis X cells were positive for S-100 protein and peanut agglutinin but were negative for Mac-387. Histiocytes of juvenile xanthogranuloma, necrobiotic xanthogranuloma, and traumatic granuloma were strongly positive for Mac-387 but were negative for S-100 protein and peanut agglutinin, except for the peanut agglutinin-reactive Touton giant cells. Mac-387 reliably differentiates histiocytic proliferations of the monocyte/macrophage system from those of the dendritic cell system. For the diagnosis of histiocytosis X, both S-100 protein and peanut agglutinin positivity in histiocytes is as reliable as ultrastructural demonstration of Birbeck granules.
Fartasch
M
M
Department of Dermatology, University of Erlangen, F.R.G.
Vigneswaran
N
N
Diepgen
T L
TL
Hornstein
O P
OP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006646:Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D014972:Xanthogranuloma, Juvenile / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014973:Xanthomatosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology