A, B, and H substances in syringomas. An immunohistochemical analysis of 15 cases.

This study examines the distribution of A, B, and H substances in 15 syringomas and 11 control axillary skins. Monoclonal antibodies (MCABs) against A, B, and H substances with the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) method were used. Additionally, the H antigen was localized with Ulex europaeus Agglutinin-I (UEA-I) by use of the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. The MCABs provided specific and reproducible staining of all 15 syringomas as well as the secretory coli and duct of normal eccrine glands. Contrariwise, apocrine and sebaceous glands were uniformly nonreactive. The staining by the UEA-I technique showed a similar pattern to that of the anti-H MCAB but with increased background (nonspecific) staining. These results, using state-of-the-art immunohistochemistry, confirm the eccrine origin of syringoma. Blood group substances may be useful in distinguishing other tumors of eccrine origin from those of apocrine origin.