title: Phenotypic characterization in situ of inflammatory cells in pityriasis (tinea) versicolor.
abstract: The cellular response in pityriasis (tinea) versicolor lesions was analysed in situ with an immunohistochemical double staining technique combined with periodic acid-Schiff staining in frozen sections of skin biopsies from 9 patients. The proportions of B and T cells and subpopulations of T cells in the blood were normal as were the proliferative responses of blood mononuclear cells against various B- and T-cell mitogens and antigens. Fungi were observed in stratum corneum in all lesions, and there were moderate cell infiltrates in both epidermis and dermis as compared to biopsies from normal-looking skin. The majority of the infiltrating perivascular cells reacted with anti-Leu 1 antibodies (all mature peripheral T cells). Anti-Leu 2a reactive cells ('suppressor/cytotoxic' phenotype) were few and scattered, whereas anti-Leu 3a reactive cells ('helper/inducer' phenotype) dominated. This investigation demonstrates that pityriasis versicolor is not a simple overgrowth of the fungus in stratum corneum, but is accompanied by infiltrating immunocompetent cells in both epidermis and dermis.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000032:analysis; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D008290:Malassezia / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification; D014010:Tinea Versicolor / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal