title: Evaluation of allergic vesicular reaction to patch test using in vivo confocal microscopy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Confocal microscopy has been successfully applied both in oncologic and inflammatory diseases. In particular, it has been proved as a useful tool for the in vivo detection of microscopical changes occurring in allergic reactions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate microscopic changes occurring in positive patch test reactions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight patients with history of allergic dermatitis and positive patch test reaction were analysed by means of confocal microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Confocal microscopy showed the presence of spongiotic vesicle preferentially localized around the adnexal ducts that appeared to be in the middle of the spongiotic phenomena.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Confocal microscopy offered for the first time new insight into vesicle formation and development, showing that adnexal ducts can play a role in allergic reaction.
authors: San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, Rome, Italy. ardigo@ifo.it
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Ardigò
authors: Caterina
authors: C
authors: Longo
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Cristaudo
authors: Enzo
authors: E
authors: Berardesca
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Pellacani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D046169:Dermoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens