Mast cells in human polyneuropathies: their density and regional distribution

The density of mast cells (MC) in human sural nerve biopsies of different neuropathies (NP) was determined by counting cells expressing naphtol-AS-D-chloracetate-esterase-activity. Morphometry of the different nerve compartments was performed and the counts for the endoneurial (including the perineurial) compartment were compared to the counts for the epineurial compartment. In most cases the density of the MC was notably higher in the epineurial than in the endoneurial compartment. The density of MC appeared to be correlated especially with demyelinating diseases.