Immunological reactions, which develop in response to inflammatory stimuli, are caused by the presence of imunologically competent cells situated in the skin. The aim of this study was the comparison of the relative number of cells expressing CD3, CD4, CD. 8, CS20, CD68, CD25 (IL-2R), CD123 (IL-3R), CDw130 (IL-6R), CD120a (TNF-a) and TNF-aR (55kDa) surface antigens, cytokine receptors or cytokines present in skin (around blood vessels and skin appendages) and to determine percentage of cells in inflammatory infiltrates around ingrowing nailfolds in children. In inflammatory infiltrates around ingrowing nailfolds a significant decrease of the percentage of CD3 cells (T lymphocytes) has been observed, while the percentage of CD68 cells (macrophages) and CD20 cells (B lymphocytes) has been found to be increased. Similarly, the relative number of all expressing IL3, IL-6, TNF-a cytokine receptor and cell producing TNF-a molecules was increased. The results of our studies suggest that such phenotypic characteristics of immunocompetent cell infiltrate in skin around ingrowing nailfold in children is a reflection of an immunological reaction and defence mechanism of skin to bacterial antigen.

Keywords: ingrowing nailfolds, inflammatory reaction, percentage of immunologically competent cells