THE MOTH-EATEN ALOPECIA OF SECONDARY SYPHILIS - A HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF 12 PATIENTS

Moth-eaten alopecia (MEA) is a characteristic manifestation of seconda ry syphilis. Clinically, this form of alopecia may be confused with tr ichotillomania, traction alopecia, and alopecia areata. The histopatho logical features of the latter conditions are well described, but info rmation regarding the histology of syphilitic MEA is sparse. We system atically documented the histopathological features of 12 patients with MEA. Characteristic features included follicular plugging; a sparse, perivascular and perifollicular lymphocytic infiltrate; telogenization and follicle-oriented melanin clumping.