ABSTRACT
Plasma cell infiltrates are not a common component of inflammatory dermato sis and their presence should always be noted. Traditionally plasma cells, although not exclusively seen in syphilis, have always been a flag indicating the need for sero logic tests for syphilis in the patient and/or silver stains (such as Warthin Starry, or Steiner) for spirochetes. This rule does not apply to inflammatory lesions in or near mucosal orifices, which are often rich in plasma cells. The inflammatory reactions to skin tumors on the face also show an abundance of plasma cells.
