Fundamental pathologic cianges of secondary syphilid are said to be swelling and proliferation of endothelials and a predominantly parivascular infiltrates composed chiefly of lymphoid cells and plasma cells. But recentIy this theory has heen challenged. We present bistologic observation made on 10 patients who agreed to go through a biopsy, during 2 years period. from 1975 to l977. Male to female ratio was 9: 1 The age of patient ranged from 20 to 33, with a mean of 26. 8. The duration of lesion before the visit to the department ranged frorn 6 weeks to 20 weeks, with a mean of 11.9. The lesions in 2 were classified as macule, 3 as papule (1 as moist papule), and 5 as papulo-squamous lesions. The VDRL titer was higher in papular type. Dark fieId examination was performed on all patient and 6 showed positive result. The edidermal changes consist of hyperkeratosis (in 6 cases), parakeratosis (in 5), acanthosis (in 6), elongation of rete ridges (in 8) and exocytosis (in 3). The dermis showed mild to severe perivascular infiltration consist chiefly of lymphoid cells and histiocytic cells (in 10), plama cells (in 7), eosinophils (in 4), neutrophils (in 2), chromatophores (in 4), extra vasation of RBC (in 5), and dilated bload vessels endothelial swellings (in 8). Of particular interest was the finding that plasma cell infiltration is more pronounced at the lower portion of dermal infiltrate and in 3 cases plasma cell infiltration was totally absent. Vascular changes were seen in 8 cases.
Biopsy ; Chromatophores ; Dermis ; Eosinophils ; Exocytosis ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Male ; Neutrophils ; Parakeratosis ; Plasma Cells ; Syphilis, Cutaneous*

The nevus spilus, also called speckled lentiginous nevus, presents itself as a patch of melanization dotted by smaller macules of darker color, frequently occuring on the trunk, and in some respect, resembeing the cafe au lait of von Recklinghausens disease and Albrights syndrome. We present clinical and histopathologic observation made on 14 patients, 13 male and 1 female, who agreed to go through a biopsy, during 5 years period from 1975 to 1980. The age at the visit ranged from 11 years to 61, with a mean of 22. 4. The location of lesions were shouIder (in 5 cases), neck (in 2), back (in 2), trunk (in 4),arm (in 1), and buttock (in 1). The epidermal changes consist of hypererkatosis (in 7), acanthosis (in 6), elongation of rete ridge and papillomatosis (in 9), basilar hypermelanosis (in 14), and nevus cell nests(in 3) The dermal changes consists of mild perivascular lymphoid and histiocytic cellular infiltrations (in 11), chromatophores (in 8) and dilated blood vessels (in 6). It is suggested that nevus spilus should be considered as a giant lentigo, a neoplasia of epictermal melanocytes, where junctional nevus is to develop.
Biopsy ; Blood Vessels ; Buttocks ; Chromatophores ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Lentigo ; Male ; Melanocytes ; Neck ; Neurofibromatosis 1 ; Nevus* ; Papilloma

No abstract available.
Adult* ; Humans ; Melanosomes* ; Pilot Projects* ; Skin* ; Zebrafish*

Electron microscopic examination of specimens from lesions of eight patients with hyperpigmented and six patients with hypopigmented tinea versicolor and from unaffected skin in each patient was performed. The results are summarized as follows; 1. In hyperpigmented lesions, melanosomes are larger and more singly dispersed than in unaffected skin. 2. In hypopigmented lesions, melanosomes are smaller and less singly diepersed than in unaffected skin. 3. Number of total melanosomes in hyperpigmented and hypopigmented lesions was not different from in unaffected skin.
Humans ; Melanosomes* ; Skin ; Tinea Versicolor* ; Tinea*

Melanosomes were isolated from the human hair by graded centrifugation and identified by transmission and scanning electron microscopic examination. Melanosomes were separated from the keratinous structures by treating with strong NaOH solution for 15 hours. The keratinous structures were removed by centrifugation ai 2,500xg and 3,500xg for 10 minutes respectively at 0 ℃. The isolated melanosomes were collected by centrifugation at 7,800xg at 0 ℃. Scanning electron microscopic examination made it possible to evaluate the global structure of purified melanosomes.
Centrifugation ; Hair* ; Humans* ; Melanosomes* ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning

We studied 25 cases of clinically diagnosed erythema dyschrornicum perstans (EDP) who were seen in our clinic within 11-year period, from 1975 through 1985, and compared light and electron microscopic findings, and direct immunoflunrescence findings. The results are summarized as follows: 1. There were 16 males(64%) and 9 females(36%). The peak age incidence was in the second decade. 2. The mean age of onset was 18 years(M: 16. 6, F: 19. 4) and the rnean duration was 1.8 years(M: 2.6, F: 1.0). 3. The annual incidence increased from 1981 and was peaked in 1985. 4. The most commonly involvement site was the trunk(92%), the least common involvement(4%) was one of the face, neck, and shoulder combined. 5. The histopathologic findings in most patients shows focal vacuolization of the basal cell layer, pigment incontinence, dermal melanophages. 6. Electron microscopic findings of five patients consist of vauoles with abundant melanosomes in the basal cells, widened intercellular spaces and dermal melanophages.
Age of Onset ; Erythema* ; Extracellular Space ; Humans ; Incidence ; Melanosomes ; Neck ; Shoulder

Becker's nevus or Becker's melanosis is a distinct clinical entity in which epimal thickening may be minimal and hairiness and pigmentation obvious. 1Ne report a case of 14-year-old female suffering from Beckers melanosis with multiple and extensive skin lesions. The electron microscope revealed that the melanocytes were bulky with increased melanogenesis and an increased number of melanosomes was found in the keratinocytes. In addition, a large number of melanosomes were seen individually in the keratinocytes.
Adolescent ; Female ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; Melanocytes ; Melanosis ; Melanosomes ; Nevus* ; Pigmentation ; Skin

Penile melanosis is a new disease entity which is benign and different from pigmented nevus and acral lentiginous melanoma in situ. A 20-year-old man had hyperpigmented macules on the glans penis and penile shaft for 5 years. Clinical and histologic findings were consistent with penile melanosis and giant melanosome complexes were observed ultrastructurally.
Humans ; Male ; Melanocytes* ; Melanoma ; Melanosis* ; Melanosomes ; Nevus, Pigmented ; Penis ; Young Adult

Melatonin was derived from pineal gland, act as hormone and is known to be extremely active in certain biological systems. To observe the depigmentation effet of melatonin, author induced activation of melanocytes and melanin by UVB irradiation for seven days and then melatonin ointment or ointment base was applied topically on the ear skin of C57 B1 mouse. Tissue samples were obtained from 4 mice in each group before and after UVB irradiation for given days(1,3,5 and 7 week). The morphological, numerical, and ultrastructural changes of epidermal melanocytes were observed with light microscope and electron miroscope after DOPA stain. The results were as follows: 1) In all groups, the number of DOPA positive melanocytes began to decrease from 1 week. 2) The number of DOPA-positive melanocytes in melatonin ointment applied group was significantly lower than in control group. 3) In the electron microscopic findings, the number of melanosomes markedly decreased from 1 week to 7 weeks and a small amount of destructed melanosomes(vacuoles) and destroyed or swollen mitochondria in cytoplasm of th melanocyte appeared more significant in 3% melatonin ointment applied group compared to ointment base applied group from 5 weeks.
Animals ; Cytoplasm ; Dihydroxyphenylalanine ; Ear ; Melanins ; Melanocytes* ; Melanosomes ; Melatonin* ; Mice* ; Mitochondria ; Pineal Gland ; Skin

BACKGROUND: Recently, Q-switched lasers have been reported to be successful in treating Ota's nevus without scarring. Utilizing the principle of selective photothermolysis, the Alexandrite laser has been developed for dermal pigmented lesions and tattoos. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we evaluated the clinical, histopathological and ultrastructual effect of the Alexandrite laser in the tretment of Nevus of Ota. METHODS: Forty-seven patients with nevus of Ota were treated with energy densities ranging from 5.0 to 8.0 J/cm2 at a miriimum of 6 week intervals. Sequential skin biopsy specimens were processed for the light microscope with H&E and Fontana-Masson stains and the electron microscope. RESULTS: The average number of treatments were 2.8 per patient. After two treatment sessions, 93 % patients 26 to 75% imprivement was seen. After three treatments 50 to 95% improvement was seen. No patients had permanent textual changes or scarring. On light microscop most of the dendritic melanocytes in the upper dermis were not observed in biopsy specimens taken after clinical improvement. Electron microscopy revealed damaged melanosomes in the upper dermis immediately after irradiation. CONCLUSION: Treatment with the Alexandrite laser for nevus of Ota is considered to be a safe and effective method.
Biopsy ; Cicatrix ; Coloring Agents ; Dermis ; Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State* ; Melanocytes ; Melanosomes ; Microscopy, Electron ; Nevus of Ota* ; Skin