Serological Diagnosis of Autoimmune Bullous Skin Diseases

Overview

Journal Front Immunol

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2019 Sep 26

PMID 31552014

Citations 25

Authors

Sandra Saschenbrecker

Ingolf Karl

Lars Komorowski

Christian Probst

Cornelia Dahnrich

Kai Fechner

Winfried Stocker

Wolfgang Schlumberger

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Autoimmune bullous dermatoses (AIBD) encompass a variety of organ-specific autoimmune diseases that manifest with cutaneous and/or mucosal blisters and erosions. They are characterized by autoantibodies targeting structural proteins of the skin, which are responsible for the intercellular contact between epidermal keratinocytes and for adhesion of the basal keratinocytes to the dermis. The autoantibodies disrupt the adhesive functions, leading to splitting and blister formation. In pemphigus diseases, blisters form intraepidermally, whereas in all other disease types they occur subepidermally. Early identification of autoimmune bullous dermatoses is crucial for both treatment and prognosis, particularly as regards tumor-associated disease entities. The diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms, histopathology, direct immunofluorescence to detect antibody/complement deposits, and the determination of circulating autoantibodies. The identification of various target antigens has paved the way for the recent development of numerous specific autoantibody tests. In particular, optimized designer antigens and multiplex test formats for indirect immunofluorescence and ELISA have enhanced and refined the laboratory analysis, enabling highly efficient serodiagnosis and follow-up. This review elaborates on the current standards in the serological diagnostics for autoimmune bullous dermatoses.

Citing Articles

The Role of Nutrition in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Autoimmune Bullous Diseases-A Narrative Review.

Kajdas A, Zebrowska A, Zalewska-Janowska A, Czerwonogrodzka-Senczyna A Nutrients. 2024; 16(22).

PMID: 39599747 PMC: 11597059. DOI: 10.3390/nu16223961.

[Skin fragility in autoimmune blistering diseases of the skin].

Solimani F, Didona D, Hertl M Dermatologie (Heidelb). 2024; 75(12):924-933.

PMID: 39542883 DOI: 10.1007/s00105-024-05428-2.

Case report: A novel high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin preparation for the treatment of severe pemphigus vulgaris failing standard therapy.

Wiedenmayer N, Hogrefe K, Mihalceanu S, Winkler J, Enk A J Dermatol. 2024; 51(12):1665-1668.

PMID: 39349366 PMC: 11624157. DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.17475.

Dapsone as a Current Option for the Treatment of Autoimmune Bullous Diseases with Autoimmunity to Non-Enzymes: A Retrospective Study from a Single Central European Referral Center.

Spalek M, Jalowska M, Welc N, Bowszyc-Dmochowska M, Dmochowski M Medicina (Kaunas). 2024; 60(8).

PMID: 39202604 PMC: 11356425. DOI: 10.3390/medicina60081324.

Successful Treatment of Severe Pemphigus Vulgaris with Reduced Side Effects Using a Novel IVIg Preparation.

Wiedenmayer N, Vollmer A, Winkler J, Enk A Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2024; 14(7):1969-1974.

PMID: 38865042 PMC: 11265024. DOI: 10.1007/s13555-024-01191-3.

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