Value of histopathology in vitiligo.
BACKGROUND
Histopathologic studies of vitiligo have been rather limited in number, thus the microscopic features of this common disorder are not very well known.


METHODS
Skin specimens from 20 human vitiligo patients and skin specimens from five equine vitiligo patients were studied by light and transmission electron microscopy.


CONCLUSIONS
Absence of melanocytes, increased number of Langerhans' cells, epidermal vacuolization, thickening of the basement membrane, T-cell inflammatory infiltrate, and neural alterations were noted in the vitiligo lesions. These results may explain the development of depigmentation, but do not yet fully explain why and how this occurs.
Montes
Leopold F
LF
Vitiligo Unit, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Leopold_montes@hotmail.com
Abulafia
Jorge
J
Wilborn
Walter H
WH
Hyde
Barbara M
BM
Montes
Carolina M
CM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*