title: Immunohistochemical characterization of plasma cells in Zoon's balanoposthitis and (pre)malignant skin lesions.
abstract: A retrospective study in 9 patients with Zoon's balanoposthitis was done to determine the immunoglobulin class distribution in the plasma cellular infiltrate. This was carried out on paraffin-embedded specimens using an unlabelled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. In all lesions IgG-producing plasma cells predominated. IgA- and IgD-positive cells were also present in about equal quantities but fewer than IgG. IgM-positive cells were either absent or present in very low numbers. Especially in erosive lesions a high number of plasma cells was noticed. The kappa/lambda ratio was variable with a preference for lambda in 5 of 8 cases. These findings are suggestive of a nonspecific polyclonal stimulation of B cells, which might be caused by a persistent infection. The above-mentioned findings were compared with premalignant and malignant skin lesions in which a major amount of plasma cells was present in the inflammatory infiltrate. Comparable results were obtained with slight variations. The role of plasma cells in these infiltrates is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001446:Balanitis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology; D004919:Erythroplasia / Q000378:metabolism*; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000276:immunology; D007072:Immunoglobulin D / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010413:Penis / Q000473:pathology; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000032:analysis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis*; D013587:Syphilis / Q000473:pathology; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007072:Immunoglobulin D; D007074:Immunoglobulin G