CD30 antigen expression in cutaneous inflammatory infiltrates of scabies: a dynamic immunophenotypic pattern that should be distinguished from lymphomatoid papulosis.
BACKGROUND
Expression of CD30 antigen is a distinct marker of lymphocyte activation that was originally described in the Reed-Sternberg cells of Hodgkin's disease. The observation of CD30+ cells has been considered a diagnostic feature of cutaneous CD30 lymphoid proliferations. However, CD30 expression has also been reported in some cutaneous benign inflammatory infiltrates.


METHODS
Eleven skin biopsies from patients with scabies were double-blindly and retrospectively analysed. A panel of histopathological parameters and immunophenotypic expression of CD4, CD8, CD30 and S-100 antigens was studied. CD30 and S-100 antigens expression were related to clinical features.


RESULTS
Large CD30+ cells were demonstrated in eight (8/11) biopsies, corresponding to patients with long-standing lesions (3 months or longer). However, no expression of the CD30 antigen was observed in all biopsy specimens (3/11) corresponding to early lesions (2 months or less). The presence of S-100 positive cells in the papillary dermis was an almost constant feature.


CONCLUSIONS
CD30+ large cells seem to be a common feature in long-standing infiltrates of scabies. CD30 expression in scattered cells of a cutaneous lymphoid infiltrate cannot be assessed as a strong diagnostic argument of neoplastic cutaneous CD30+ lymphoid proliferation (lymphomatoid papulosis/cutaneous CD30+ lymphoma). Therefore, the possibility that large atypical CD30+ cells may be also present in several benign inflammatory diseases should be always considered.
Department of Dermatology, Hospital del Mar, IMAS, Passeig Maritim 25-29, 08003-Barcelona, Spain.
Fernando
F
Gallardo
Carlos
C
Barranco
Agustí
A
Toll
Ramon M
RM
Pujol
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008218:Lymphocytosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D017731:Lymphomatoid Papulosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012532:Scabies / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology
D015415:Biomarkers; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen; D009418:S100 Proteins