Immunohistochemical Expression of Keratins in Normal Ovine Skin and in Chronic Dermatitis Due to Sarcoptes Scabiei

The study investigated the immunohistochemical expression of keratins in normal ovine skin and in chronic dermatitis caused by Sarcoptes scabiei. Skin biopsies were taken from 12 healthy ewes and 24 ewes with sarcoptic mange. In healthy sheep, the skin showed normal histological structure with minimal lymphocyte presence and no epidermal hyperplasia. In contrast, sheep with chronic mange exhibited severe epidermal changes, including hyperkeratosis, crusting, and hyperplasia. The study evaluated 10 mouse anti-human keratin antibodies, finding that 6 of them effectively labeled epithelial structures in ovine skin, with AE1/AE3 serving as a broad marker for various keratins. The research highlighted significant differences in keratin expression between healthy and diseased skin, contributing to the understanding of skin pathology in sarcoptic mange.