title: Value of histopathology in vitiligo.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Vitiligo Unit, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Leopold_montes@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Leopold F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Montes
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abulafia
authors.forename: Walter H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Wilborn
authors.forename: Barbara M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Hyde
authors.forename: Carolina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Montes
mesh_terms: 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*