Where is the split in bullous pemphigoid?
Diagnosis of the bullous pemphigoid relies on the clinical scenario and laboratory tests. Histology with direct and indirect immunofluorescence studies aid in diagnosis. Histology will show a subepidermal split with a superficial perivascular inflammatory infiltrate and numerous eosinophils.
Is epidermolysis bullosa the same as bullous pemphigoid?
Bullous pemphigoid (BP) and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita are distinct autoimmune blistering disorders. BP is characterized by autoantibodies directed against the NC16A domain of collagen XVII, whereas patients with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita have autoantibodies against the NC1 domain of type VII collagen.
What is salt split skin technique?
Salt split technique in immunofluo-rescence is an additional tool to study and further elucidate immunopathology of bullous pemphigoid. Salt split skin as a substrate for IIF shows higher sensitivity in detecting circulating antibodies.
What does bullous pemphigoid look like?
It usually starts as sore, itchy patches. On white skin the patches look red or pink. On brown and black skin they may look dark reddish-brown. It can affect large areas of the body or limbs.
What is Subepidermal blister?
The subepidermal immunobullous diseases are a group of autoimmune blistering disorders of the skin and mucous membranes that share the common features of autoantibody deposition and blister formation at the dermal-epidermal junction or basement membrane.
What does pemphigoid rash look like?
Large blisters that don’t easily rupture when touched, often along creases or folds in the skin. Skin around the blisters that is normal, reddish or darker than normal. Eczema or a hive-like rash. Small blisters or sores in the mouth or other mucous membranes (benign mucous membrane pemphigoid)
What is indirect immunofluorescence?
Indirect immunofluorescence, or secondary immunofluorescence, is a technique used in laboratories to detect circulating autoantibodies in patient serum. It is used to diagnose autoimmune blistering diseases.
Is salt split skin a better substrate for immunofluorescence diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid?
Recent studies suggest that salt split skin is a more sensitive substrate than intact skin for immunofluorescence diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid. We undertook this study to define the role of salt split technique of immunofluorescence findings in 32 clinical and histopathology confirmed cases of bullous pemphigoid.
What is the significance of the salt split skin assay?
The salt split skin assay shows localization of immunoreactivity to the roof of the saline induced split typical for bullous pemphigoid. Specimen provided must not have an in vivo split.
Is the salt-split skin technique a useful laboratory tool?
The Salt-split skin technique is a useful laboratory tool to improve test sensibility and establish a better diagnosis for these dermatoses. Footnotes Conflict of interests: None