A Study on the Cell-Mediated Immunity of Patients with Vitiligo / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

The pathogenesis of vitiligo has not been fully elucidated, but three different hypothese have been advanced to explain the cause of vitiligo. One is related to autoimmunity, another concerns neurohumoral factors and the third involves self-destruction of melanocytes. The autoimmune theory of vitiligo is further strengthened by the increased association of vitiligo with a nurnber of autoimmune disorders and by the increased prevalence of organ-specific autoantibodies in vitiligo. Also decreased T lymphocytes in vitiligo patients were reported. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the cell mediated immune status of patients with vitiligo using several in vitro and in vivo immune parameters. Thirty patients between the ages of 12 and 65 were observed at the Department of Dermatology of Ewha Womans University Hospital from Apri11981 through October 1981. Age matched 30 healthy persons comprised the control group. The results were summarized as follow 1) The mean percentage of T lymphocytes in 30 vitiligo subjects and 30 control subjects were 55.3% and 67.4% respectively. There was a significant decrease of T lymphocytes in patients with vitiligo(p<0.05). 2) The percentage of subjects showing positive delayed hypersensitivity reactions to candidin, trichophytin and PPD were 33.3%, 43%, 50% respectively in 30 vitiligo patients and 60%, 75%, 80% respectively in 20 controls. A slight depression in delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity in gatients with vitiligo. (p<0.1). 3) The percentage of subjects showing positive sensitization with DNCB was 53% in 30 vitiligo patienta and 85% in 20 controls. A slight depression in DNCB sensitization was evident in vitiligo patients(p<0.1).