Histochemical Study of Bullous Dermatoses

I. Phosphorylase

Abstract

1. Sixty-four biopsy specimens removed from 58 patients, including 3 cases of pemphigus vulgaris, 15 cases of dermatitis herpetiformis DUHRING, 11 cases of erythema exudativum multiforme, 15 cases of herps zoster, 3 cases of varicella and 11 cases of eczema acutum were histochemically examined for phosphorylase by the method of TAKEUCHI.
2. A considerable amount of glycogen was present in the edematous areas of dermatitis herpetiformis DUHRING, erythema exudativum multiforme, herpes zoster, varicella and eczema acutum. In these areas, were also found accentuated activity of phosphorylase and increasing of ribonucleic acid.
3. At the edges of the bullae, a small amount of glycogen was found in some of the degenerated epidermal cells. These cells showed some phosphorylase activity.
4. In some of the acantholytic cells of pemphigus, a weak phosphorylase activity was found, while there was some amount of glycogen.