Morphological changes in the skin during experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis: bases for new diagnostic test.

Skin specimen from the medial malleolar area of patients with multiple sclerosis and guinea pigs with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis were examined by light and electron microscopy. Demyelination, inflammation, and dystrophic changes in peripheral nerves and skin correlating with clinical manifestations were revealed in both sclerosis and encephalomyelitis. Maximum changes were revealed in nerve-associated cells (Merkel cells), Langerhans cells reflecting inflammation intensity, and fibroblasts responsible for nerve integrity and resistance against external stimuli.