Immunological studies in patients with alopecia areata

Cellular and humoral immune parameters were studied in 10 patients with alopecia areata totalis and universalis. Trends to low normal immunoglobulins levels and in vitro lymphocyte transformation to concanavalin A were observed. Serum CH-50 levels and skin test responses to mumps, candida, trichophytin and dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) not found in vitro. 1 patient with alopecia universalis of 33 years duration developed hair at the site of DNCB skin testing. The findings point to rather subtle immune defects in patients with this disease.