ABSTRACT
Mastocytosis is characterized by pathologic accumulation and activation of mast cells in tissues and organs. Although the classification for mastocytosis and diagnostic criteria are well accepted, there remains a need to define standards for the application of diagnostic tests, clinical evaluations, and responses to treatment. The objective of this article was to make an extensive literature review, providing comprehensive knowledge about the etiopathological and pathophysiological mechanisms, with a special emphasis on diagnosis, classification and treatment of mastocytosis, promoting continued medical education.
Subject(s)
Mastocytosis , Humans , Mastocytosis/classification , Mastocytosis/diagnosis , Mastocytosis/etiology , Mastocytosis/pathologyABSTRACT
A mastocitose é caracterizada pelo acúmulo patológico e ativação de mastócitos nos tecidos e órgãos. Embora a classificação da mastocitose e seus critérios diagnósticos sejam bem aceitos, há necessidade de estabelecer parâmetros para aplicação de testes diagnósticos, avaliação clínica e respostas aos tratamentos. O objetivo deste trabalho é fazer uma revisão extensa da literatura, oferecendo conhecimento global sobre os mecanismos etiopatológicos e isiopatológicos, dando especial ênfase à diagnose, classificação e tratamento da mastocitose, promovendo a educação médica continuada.
Mastocytosis is characterized by pathologic accumulation and activation of mast cells in tissues and organs. Although the classification for mastocytosis and diagnostic criteria are well accepted, there remains a need to define standards for the application of diagnostic tests, clinical evaluations, and responses to treatment. The objective of this article was to make an extensive literature review, providing comprehensive knowledge about the etiopathological and pathophysiological mechanisms, with a special emphasis on diagnosis, classification and treatment of mastocytosis, promoting continued medical education.
Subject(s)
Humans , Mastocytosis , Mastocytosis/classification , Mastocytosis/diagnosis , Mastocytosis/etiology , Mastocytosis/pathologyABSTRACT
CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have indicated that vitiligo areas contain inactive or dormant melanocytes. Melanin synthesis is related to tyrosinase presence and indicative of active metabolic state. The aim of this study was to compare repigmentation, epidermal melanocyte distribution and tyrosinase mRNA detection through reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, in tissue samples of vitiligo, before and after curettage, with or without subsequent autologous skin graft using a new method. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective, in the Department of Dermatology, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André. METHODS: Two vitiligo areas were curetted. One subsequently received grafted normal sacral autologous skin, whereas the other had no further treatment. The curetted areas were examined after 30 days, to evaluate the degree of repigmentation. The melanocyte percentages and tyrosinase mRNA presence in normal skin and vitiligo areas, before and after curettage and grafting, were compared. RESULTS: Complete repigmentation was seen in all grafted areas, whereas non-grafted curetted vitiligo presented partial repigmentation. The melanocyte percentage in grafted areas was greater than in non-treated vitiligo skin (p = 0.01) and skin with curettage alone (p = 0.015). Tyrosinase mRNA was negative in 93.75% of non-treated vitiligo areas. After treatment (curettage alone or curettage and grafting), all lesions became positive for tyrosinase mRNA. CONCLUSION: Metabolically inactive or dormant melanocytes are probably present within vitiligo areas, and may be activated by exogenous or endogenous stimuli.
