Application of image analysis to the study of skin granulomas

Histologically- and immunohistochemically- stained paraffin sections of a well-documented collection of infectious skin reactions were studied using a BIOCOM 200 image analysis system. Examples of quantitative evaluation of dermal fibrosis and collagen isotypes pattern, as well as morphometric demonstration of cutaneous vessels or tissue macrophage changes were shown. In addition, the topography of specifically immunostained cell populations was specified in different granulomatous reactions. There was a loss of cytokine positive signal on paraffin sections during the tissue processing. Immunohistochemistry and image analysis were shown to be complementary techniques when applied to pathological material. However, technical improvements will be necessary before routine application of the techniques to the study in situ of the role of cytokines and remodelling enzymes.