INTRODUCTION
Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and Bullous pemphigoid (BP) are well-known chronic autoimmune bullous dermatoses in which antibodies are directed against basement membrane zone.
Mast cells contribution in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases is recently suggested.


AIM OF THE WORK

The aim of this study was to detect mast cells expression in pemphigus vulgaris and Bullous pemphigoid skin lesions.


PATIENTS

The work protocol were as follow:
• Patients were recruited from the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic of the Alexandria Main University Hospital.

This study were conducted on:
• 20 pemphigus vulgaris patients (Group I).
• 20 Bullous pemphigoid patients (Group II).
• 10 healthy persons as control (safety margin of basel cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma patients.


METHODS

Mast cells detection in skin biopsies were done by using immunohistochemical staining for CD117.

Results
mast cells showed significant higher presentation of (25-50% involvement) in group I than in group II (60% VS 15% of patients respectively).