Abstract
The number in and distribution of Langerhans' cells were studied in 11 patients with a maculopapular drug eruption. The Langerhans' cells (LC) were identified with a monoclonal antibody to OKT6 antigen, by employing an immunofluorescence technique. Skin biopsies were taken from lesional and non-lesional skin during the acute stage of the disease. LC in the lesional biopsies increased in number by 66% (p < 0.001) and displayed more intense staining and more prominent dendrites than did LC from non-lesional skin. Control biopsies, taken from identical sites at least 4 weeks after the eruption disappeared, exhibited a cell distribution similar to the non-lesional acute stage (p = N.S.). Delivery of drugs via the circulation and their distribution into the skin may cause a type IV immune reaction due to LC activation by a drug-carrier complex.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 175-177 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Acta Dermato-Venereologica |
| Volume | 72 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| State | Published - 1992 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Antigen presenting cell
- Monoclonal antibody OKT6
