الفهرس 
Introduction and RationaleOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Vitiligo is an idiopathic disorder of pigmentation characterized by the presence of depigmented skin macules due to the chronic and progressive loss of melanocytes from the cutaneous epidermis. Large population surveys have shown a worldwide incidence of 1-2%
Vitiligo is multi-factorial and polygenic. The precise pathogenesis
remains elusive; however, several theories have been proposed to explain the loss of epidermal melanocytes in this disorder. Proposed mechanisms fall under the rubrics of autoimmune, biochemical, oxidant-antioxidant, neural, and viral. Studies have also pointed to a significant role of genetic
Susceptibility to vitiligo.
Many cases of vitiligo associated with IFN treatment have been reported.The exact relationship between the treatment and this autoimmune phenomenon is still obscure.