512 Varicella-zoster virus in actively spreading segmental vitiligo skin

Segmental vitiligo is a unilateral subtype of characterized by cutaneous depigmentation due to melanocyte loss from the epidermis and hair follicle reservoirs. In many cases, this skin shares several clinical features dysfunctions with herpes zoster (HZ). Thus, we searched sign viral infection presence VZV in samples 40 SV, 3 HZ 10 generalized vitiligo. We observed that nuclear fusion epidermal cells were statistically associated recent SV whereas syncytia formation was long-lasting SV. A positive detection antigen dermis Mature virions 3/3 electron microscopy. melanocytes, could mature virions, perinuclear clustering lysis melanosomes. These abnormal distribution degradation melanosomes previously reported lysosomal diseases attributed defective transport transfer keratinocytes. Therefore, an inhibition normal melanosome trafficking melanocytes following local virus infestation be first step cascade events leading possibly autoimmune process.