title: Histopathological and bacteriological findings in prurigo nodularis.
abstract: Prurigo nodularis is a chronic disease with unknown aetiology. Biopsy specimens of 43 patients with prurigo nodularis were taken for histopathological and mycobacteriological analyses. By conventional histopathology, 25 (58%) samples, and by immunostaining for S100 protein, 31 (72%) samples had changes relevant to prurigo nodularis. Twelve (28%) of the samples were positive for acid fast bacilli in tissue staining by Ziehl-Neelsen technique, including 4 of the 6 samples also positive for mycobacteria in cultivation. The results verified the usefulness of S100 staining in detection of neural hyperplasia in dermal nerves, a feature regarded as diagnostic for prurigo nodularis. They also indicated that atypical mycobacteria may be a contributing factor in prurigo nodularis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Mattila
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vornanen
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Katila
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009170:Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000473:pathology; D011536:Prurigo / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation