A new approach using a numerical diagnostic criterion for vitiligo diagnosis with HMB-45 and Melan-A staining

This study aims to investigate the usefulness of the Melan-A and homatropine methyl bromide-45 (HMB-45) markers in identifying melanocytes and to evaluate cut-off values for the diagnosis of vitiligo. We also aim to identify the role of remaining melanocytes when using HMB-45. We counted and confirmed melanocytes and melanin in the samples using a high-magnification microscope. The Melan-A, HMB-45, and Fontana-Masson staining methods were utilized. Descriptive statistical analysis of quantitative traits was performed. For the comparison of the two diagnostic tools, receiver operating characteristic curve and the area under the curve were evaluated. We found out that there was no significant difference observed between the two methods. The cut-off value is <27 for HMB-45 and <15 for Melan-A per 100 cells in the basal cell layer. Thus, HMB-45 is as useful as Melan-A in the diagnosis of vitiligo.