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Value of histopathology in vitiligo
Author(s) -
F. Montes Leopold,
Abulafia Jorge,
Wilborn Walter H.,
Hyde Barbara M.,
Montes Carolina M.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-4362.2003.01743.x
Subject(s) - vitiligo , depigmentation , histopathology , medicine , vacuolization , dermatology , pathology , melanocyte , pigmentation disorder , hypopigmentation , basement membrane , melanoma , cancer research
Background Histopathologic studies of vitiligo have been rather limited in number, thus the microscopic features of this common disorder are not very well known. Subjects and Methods Skin specimens from 20 human vitiligo patients and skin specimens from five equine vitiligo patients were studied by light and transmission electron microscopy. Results and Discussion 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.