Infiltration of Mast Cells in Scalp Biopsies of Patients with Alopecia Areata or Androgenic Alopecia Versus Healthy Individuals: A Case-Control Study

The study investigated the infiltration of mast cells in scalp biopsies from 3 groups: 20 patients with alopecia areata (AA), 20 with androgenic alopecia (AGA), and 20 healthy controls. Results showed significantly higher perifollicular and perivascular mast cell counts in both AA and AGA patients compared to healthy individuals, with AA patients exhibiting more perivascular mast cells than those with AGA. In patients over 40 years old, both AA and AGA groups had significantly more mast cells than healthy participants. Additionally, a positive correlation was found between disease severity and mast cell counts in AA patients. The study concluded that mast cell infiltration was increased in AA and AGA patients, with a more pronounced effect in AA, and this increase was dependent on age and disease severity.