A STUDY INTO IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE PATTERNS OF PEMPHIGUS AND PEMPHIGOID AND CORRELATION OF INTENSITY OF FLUORESCENCE OF IMMUNOREACTANTS WITH THEIR SERUM LEVELS

Background: Vesiculobullous disorders of the skin have well defined patterns of deposition of immunoglobulins (Ig) and complement, which can be demonstrated by immunofluorescence techniques, and help in making an accurate diagnosis of the same. Methods: A clinicopathological study of 15 cases of vesiculobullous diseases diagnosed as Pemphigus and Pemphigoid was carried out. The study included six male patients and nine female patients. Light microscopy was done to see the level of cleavage of bullae and the diagnosis was further supported by direct immunofluorescence (DIF) findings. The correlation between intensity of fluorescence and the serum Ig & complement levels was studied. Result: The patterns of deposition of immunoreactants were found to be in conformity with observations of the earlier studies and the Serum Ig & complement levels showed positive correlation with intensity of DIF positivity on skin biopsy. Conclusion: Immunofluorescence has now been well established as a helpful technique in diagnosing bullous lesions which has a bearing on the treatment of these diseases which if not treated properly can prove fatal as a result of life threatening complications.