Comparative analysis of rosacea and cutaneous lupus erythematosus: Histopathologic features, T-cell subsets, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells

Abstract

Distinction of rosacea and cutaneous lupus erythematosus (LE) can be challenging because of significant clinical and histologic overlap. A controlled study comparing these conditions is lacking. We compared the histologic features, T-cell subsets, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells in rosacea and LE. Biopsy specimens of rosacea (n= 27) and facial LE (n= 30) were retrospectively reviewed and reacted with Alcian blue and periodic acid-Schiff stains, and CD4, CD8, CD25, and CD123 immunostains. LE demonstrates a lower CD4:CD8 ratio (1.74 vs 2.80, P= .0064), fewer CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory Tcells (13% vs 31%, P < .0001), and more CD123(+) plasmacytoid dendritic cells (18% vs 6%, P= .0137) than rosacea. The plasmacytoid dendritic cells in LE are more likely to form clusters (P= .0137) and comprise at least 20% of the infiltrate (P= .0340). Also associated with LE are follicular plugging (P= .0039), perineural lymphocytic infiltrate (P= .0211), abundant mucin deposition (P= .0031), and conspicuous basement membrane thickening (P= .0073), whereas Demodex infestation (P= .0064) and sebaceous hyperplasia (P= .0029) are significantly associated with rosacea. Although statistically significant, the immunophenotypic differences are rather small and limited for routine use. The infiltrates in rosacea and LE differ immunophenotypically, and may aid in their distinction in addition to conventional histologic examination.