title: The role of immunohistochemical analysis in the diagnosis of parapsoriasis.
abstract: Parapsoriasis is a chronic dermatosis whose biological distinction from early mycosis fungoides, the most frequent form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, is still not clearly defined. Two types of parapsoriasis have been delineated: large-plaque parapsoriasis and small-plaque parapsoriasis. The lack of clinical and histological features, which may allow distinguishing parapsoriasis from early mycosis fungoides has prompted several investigations to assess the role of immunohistochemistry in establishing a conclusive diagnosis of these conditions. However, the additional data obtained by immunohistochemical analysis concerning the CD4/CD8 ratio, the aberrant expression of T-cell antigens and the expression of proliferation markers has not generally helped establish a more definitive diagnosis. This review critically discusses these immunohistochemical markers and their use in diagnosis of parapsoriasis.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Dermatology, University of Padua, Via Cesare Battisti 206, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bordignon
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Belloni-Fortina
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pigozzi
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saponeri
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alaibac
mesh_terms: D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010267:Parapsoriasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology