Cellular infiltrates in scleroderma skin.

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency, distribution, and nature of cellular infiltrates in 108 skin biopsies from patients with systemic scleroderma (SS) and localized scleroderma (LS). Cellular infiltrates, perivascular or diffuse, were noted in 49% of SS and 84% of LS patients and consisted of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and macrophages. No correlation was noted between the presence or severity of skin cellular infiltrates and serum serologic abnormalities.