Abstract: We used an avidin-biotin-complex immun-operoxidase technique with various monoclonal antibodies to investigate the skin lesions from 17 cases of neurodermatitis and 5 cases of prurigo nodularis. Our results showed that:(1)The drrmal infiltrates were composed predominantly of T lymphocytes, while no B lymphocyte vvas observed. (2) Increased epidermal Langerhans cells deaaities were found in genetaliztd neurodermatitis and prurigo noslularis. (3) Expression of HLA-DR antigen on keratinocytes was found in most of the cases. (4) Expression of CD 36 (OKMS) antigen on keratino-cytes was found in the upper epidermis in all cases.We suggest that cell-mediated immunity may be involved in the pathological process in neurodermatitis and prurigo nodularis.

Key words: Neurodermatitis, Prurigo, Immunophenotyping