title: Animal model of conjunctival primary acquired melanosis.
abstract: A condition clinically identical to human conjunctival primary acquired melanosis (PAM) was induced in 16 of 20 Dutch (pigmented) rabbits after weekly topical 60-microliters applications of a 1% solution of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) in acetone. Pigment stippling appeared in the conjunctiva as early as 5 weeks after the initial carcinogen application. Confluent patches of flat pigmentation appeared over the palpebral conjunctiva 18 weeks after the onset of treatment and showed progressive lateral enlargement and darkening. Histologically, a spectrum of changes from increased melanin production and melanocytic hyperplasia without atypia (resembling the human condition of PAM without atypia) through atypical melanocytic hyperplasia (resembling human PAM with atypia) was identified. The development of this model permits further investigations to explore and explain the clinically observed phenomenon of waxing and waning of PAM and its promotion to conjunctival malignant melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Folberg
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baron
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Reeves
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Bogh
mesh_terms: D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008548:Melanosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D010858:Pigmentation; D011817:Rabbits; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins; D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene