The populations of activated T-cell subsets [HLA-DR(+)-Leu 4+ cells, interleukin 2 receptor positive (IL-2R+)-Leu 4+ cells] in the peripheral blood of patients with alopecia areata (AA) were investigated using double direct immunofluorescence staining. Fifty-eight patients with AA were classified into one of three types: those with inactive single AA (type 1) lesions, active multiple alopecia areata (MAA) lesions and active alopecia totalis (AT) (type 2) and chronic alopecia universalis (AU) (type 3). Compared to normal controls, high percentages of HLA-DR(+)-Leu4+ cells were detected in types 2 and 3 AA patients, but not in type 1 AA patients. These findings suggest that T cells are activated in the peripheral blood of active MAA, AT and chronic AU.

No abstract

We investigated the populations of activated T (HLA-DR+CD3+) cells and natural killer (CD57–CD16+) cells in the peripheral blood of patients with various types of alopecia areata (AA) and noted any changes that occurred in the said populations after administration of local and systemic corticosteroid therapy. In type 2 (severe multiple AA and alopecia totalis) and type 3 (alopecia universalis), the mean percentages of HLA-DR+CD3+ cells and CD57–CD16+ cells were significantly higher when compared with those of the normal controls. The percentages of both subsets in type 1 (mild AA) and the normal controls were consistent. Twenty-four patients in types 2 and 3 had received corticosteroid treatment, and all patients experienced new hair growth. With the changes in disease activity, the populations of HLA-DR+CD3+ cells in these patients after corticosteroid therapy significantly decreased when compared with those recorded prior to treatment. Subsequent to treatment, the mean percentages of CD57–CD16+ cells decreased to levels that were not significant relative to that of the normal controls. These findings indicate that HLA-DR+CD3+ and CD57–CD16+ cells in the peripheral blood of patients with AA may be correlated with the disease activity of AA.

No abstract

Glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) was first proposed by Gardner et al in 1988 as an infrequent developmental epithelial cyst occurring in jaw bones. We describe our experience with a case of GOC arising in the mandible and report the clinical course. The patient was 52-year-old woman with clearly bordered multilocular radiolucent lesions in bothsides of the mandibular premolar region. These cysts were extirpated, and the specimens were studied by routine pathological examination and immunohistochemical staining with cytokeratins. The diagnosis was established to be GOC. The cyst recurred 3.5 years after surgery, and reoperation was performed.