Table 1. Histopathological changes measured in this study.

Epidermis
Basal cell hyperplasia/acanthosis a
Rete peg hypertrophy
Apoptosis/necrosis/erosion
Microabscesses b
Subepidermal clefts c
Ortho-hyperkeratosis d
Para-hyperkeratosis e
Transudation
Ulceration
/45 f
Dermis
Edema
Collagen degeneration
Neovascularization
Vasculitis/transendothelial migration
Granulocyte infiltration
Mononuclear cell infiltration
Mast cell degranulation
/35
TOTAL PATHOLOGY SCORE /80

^a Acanthosis/basal cell hyperplasia: thickening of the prickle layer or increase in basal cell number;

^b Microabcess: very small circumscribed collection of white blood cells;

^c Subepidermal clefting: localised or generalised detachment of the epidermis.

^d Orthohyperkeratosis: thickening of the outermost layer of the epidermis, cells are anucleated;

^e Para-hyperkeratosis: thickening of the outermost layer of the cells, cells are nucleated.

^f Each parameter was scored from 0–5, where 0 = within normal limits, 1 = minimal change, 2 = mild change, 3 = moderate change, 4 = severe focal change, 5 = severe extensive change