Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine whether the number of mast cells in lichenified lesions of atopic dermatitis (AD) have a relationship to familial background of atopic respiratory disease (ARD). We obtained biopsy specimens of lichenified lesions from 59 consecutive patients with AD. They included 35 AD patients who had a personal history of ARD, 9 AD patients without a personal history of ARD but with a family history of ARD, and 15 "pure" AD patients without a personal or a family history of ARD. From each biopsy specimen, 4 microns-thick paraffin-embedded sections and/or 1 micron-thick Epon-embedded sections were prepared, and stained with Giemsa's reagent. With both methods of preparation, the sections from AD patients with a personal history of ARD showed significantly greater mast cell number in lichenified lesions than the "pure" AD patients. It is suggested that the increase of mast cells often seen in AD lesions may be characteristic of a subgroup of AD patients who have a predisposition for ARD.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
