Analysis of the immunohistochemical localization of collagen type III and V for the time-estimation of human skin wounds.

Collagen type III and V were visualized immunohistochemically in 79 surgically treated human skin wounds with a wound age between 8 h and 2.5 months. Network-like structures positively staining for collagen type III and associated with fibroblastic cells in the wound area were first detectable in a 2.5-day-old skin lesion and occurred regularly in wounds more than 5 days old. Collagen type V appeared first in the wound area after about 3 days, slightly later than collagen type III, and was detectable regularly in wounds with a survival time of 6 days or more. The immunohistochemical detection of collagen type III or type V thus indicates a wound age of at least 2-3 days. The lack of a positive reaction in a sufficient number of specimens indicates a wound age of less than 6 days. Even though both collagen types could also be detected in older wounds (wound age 2.5 months), further information for the time-estimation of older skin wounds cannot be given due to the observation that the time period during which reparative processes can be observed depends on the extent of the wound area.