Abstract: Objective To detect circulating autoantibodies to melanocytes in patients with vitiligo and its relationship to disease activity and subtypes. Methods IgG autoantibodies to melanocyte surface antigens were measured in sera from 334 patients with vitiligo and 50 normal individuals using a live cell enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay. Results Anti melanocyte IgG antibody was present in 67% of patients(165/250) with active non segmental vitiligo, 30.3% of patients(10/33) with inactive non segmental vitiligo, 40.54% of patients(23/51) with active segmental vitiligo and 21.42% of patients with inactive segmental vitiligo (3/14). The autoantibody levels were significantly higher in patients with active non segmental vitiligo and active segmental vitiligo than those with inactive disease or normal individuals. Conclusion Autoimmune mechanism may play an important role in both non segmental and segmental vitiligo.

Key words: Vitiligo, Melanocyte