An immunohistochemical study for several skin conditions in patients with viral hepatitis B

Kye, Young Chul; Ahn, Chul Hyun; Kim, Han Kyeom; Oh, Chil Hwan; Kim, Soo Nam

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate the HHsAg in the normal skin, dis- eased skin and skin specimens of window period of HBsAg positive patients in their serum with normal liver function. This study was done by immunoperoxidase techniques using the monoclonal antibody to hepatitis E3 surface antigen and by electron microscopy. Immunoperoxidase staining was dane on twenty specimeris of normal skin Group .D twenty specimens of diseased skin (15 cases of dermographism, 2 cases of purpura, 1 case of follicuht,is and 1 cases of morbilliform eruption) (Ciroup II ) and three specimens of normal skin af window period (Group III ) of HBsAp positive patients in their serum. Twelve cases of Group I, eleven cases of Group IL (1(J cases of dremographism and 1 rase of purpura) and two cases of Group II were stained positively for HBsAg. Positive sites were keratinocyte of epidermis, sweat gland, blood vessel and hair follicle. Electron microscopy failed to reveal viral particle, The above resuts suggest the possibility of transmission of viral hepatitis B thraugh the skin and skin appendages.