AN IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF THE DERMAL INFILTRATE AND EPIDERMAL STAINING FOR INTERLEUKIN-1 IN 12 CASES OF SWEETS-SYNDROME

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) has been proposed as a possible mediator in Sweet 's syndrome. We examined all cases of Sweet's syndrome (n = 12) presen ting to the department over a 10-year period, from 1982 to 1992, for t he presence of IL-1 and also assessed the nature of the dermal inflamm atory infiltrate in those cases, Staining for IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta was stronger in control tissues than in Sweet's syndrome. This may po ssibly be explained by the release of IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta into th e dermis in Sweet's syndrome. Contrary to recent reports, we found tha t neutrophils predominated in all cases examined, although histiocytes were present in increased numbers indicating their possible role in t he pathophysiology of Sweet's syndrome.