title: Vitiligo.
abstract: The destruction of melanocytes is the cause of depigmented maculae that clinically represent the disease vitiligo. Although the cause is unknown, various theories such as the autoimmune, autocytotoxic, and neural hypotheses have been proposed. Extensive research has provided numerous answers regarding the pathogenesis, histopathologic evidence, and treatment of vitiligo. This discussion of vitiligo summarizes the varied clinical presentations of the disease, theories attempting to explain the mechanism of melanocyte destruction, histopathologic findings, and different treatment modalities currently available.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: S O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Kovacs
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D016923:Cell Death; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D011564:Furocoumarins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011701:PUVA Therapy; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D003358:Cosmetics; D011564:Furocoumarins; D008543:Melanins