CD30 antigen expression in cutaneous inflammatory infiltrates of scabies: a dynamic immunophenotypic pattern that should be distinguished from lymphomatoid papulosis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Expression of CD30 antigen is a distinct marker of lymphocyte activation that was originally described in the Reed-Sternberg cells of Hodgkin's disease. The observation of CD30+ cells has been considered a diagnostic feature of cutaneous CD30 lymphoid proliferations. However, CD30 expression has also been reported in some cutaneous benign inflammatory infiltrates.

METHODS:

Eleven skin biopsies from patients with scabies were double-blindly and retrospectively analysed. A panel of histopathological parameters and immunophenotypic expression of CD4, CD8, CD30 and S-100 antigens was studied. CD30 and S-100 antigens expression were related to clinical features.

RESULTS:

Large CD30+ cells were demonstrated in eight (8/11) biopsies, corresponding to patients with long-standing lesions (3 months or longer). However, no expression of the CD30 antigen was observed in all biopsy specimens (3/11) corresponding to early lesions (2 months or less). The presence of S-100 positive cells in the papillary dermis was an almost constant feature.

CONCLUSIONS:

CD30+ large cells seem to be a common feature in long-standing infiltrates of scabies. CD30 expression in scattered cells of a cutaneous lymphoid infiltrate cannot be assessed as a strong diagnostic argument of neoplastic cutaneous CD30+ lymphoid proliferation (lymphomatoid papulosis/cutaneous CD30+ lymphoma). Therefore, the possibility that large atypical CD30+ cells may be also present in several benign inflammatory diseases should be always considered.

• Authors: Fernando Gallardo, Carlos Barranco, Agustí Toll, Ramon M Pujol
• Journal: Journal of cutaneous pathology (J Cutan Pathol) Vol. 29 Issue 6 Pg. 368-73 (Jul 2002) ISSN: 0303-6987 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12135469 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Ki-1 Antigen
• S100 Proteins

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Animals
• Biomarkers (analysis)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Female
• Humans
• Immunophenotyping
• Ki-1 Antigen (analysis)
• Lymphocytes (immunology, pathology)
• Lymphocytosis (immunology, parasitology, pathology)
• Lymphomatoid Papulosis (immunology, pathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• S100 Proteins (analysis)
• Scabies (immunology, pathology)
• Skin (immunology, parasitology, pathology)