APPLICATION OF IMAGE-ANALYSIS TO THE STUDY OF SKIN GRANULOMAS

Histologically- and immunohistochemically- stained paraffin sections o f a well-documented collection of infectious skin reactions were studi ed using a BIOCOM 200 image analysis system. Examples of quantitative evaluation of dermal fibrosis and collagen isotypes pattern, as well a s morphometric demonstration of cutaneous vessels or tissue macrophage changes were shown. In addition, the topography of specifically immun ostained cell populations was specified in different granulomatous rea ctions. There was a loss of cytokine positive signal on paraffin secti ons during the tissue processing. Immunohistochemistry and image analy sis were shown to be complementary techniques when applied to patholog ical material. However, technical improvements will be necessary befor e routine application of the techniques to the study in situ of the ro le of cytokines and remodelling enzymes.