Density of Langerhans' cells in ATPase stained epidermal sheet preparations from stasis dermatitis skin of the lower leg.

The density of Langerhans' cells (LC) stained with ATPase was determined in epidermal sheet preparations in skin specimens from patients with stasis dermatitis of the lower leg. Their density was highest in areas adjacent to manifest stasis dermatitis areas. Clinically diseased skin contained less LC than the adjacent areas, but still more than skin from control patients without venous insufficiency. The increased number of ATPase positive cells within and around stasis dermatitis skin might contribute to the high number of contact allergies observed in this patient group because of the antigen presenting capacity of these cells.