Direct immunofluorescence study in autoimmune bullous disorders of skin

Abstract

Background and objectives: This study was taken up to know the utility of application of Direct Immunofluorescence on skin biopsies with particular reference to Autoimmune Bullous disorders. The objectives of the present study was to detect specific patterns of DIF in different Autoimmune bullous disorders, to supplement clinical and histopathological features, and hence for confirmatory diagnosis of these disorders. Methods: DIF using fluorescent labelled antibodies IgG, IgM, IgA and C3 - was carried out in 60 clinically suspected cases of Autoimmune bullous disorders referred to Department of Pathology, KIMS Hospital and Research Center, Bangalore, over a period of 18 months from January 2011 to July 2012. Results: Out of 60 cases analysed, 39 cases were given a final diagnosis as Autoimmune bullous disorder based on clinical, histopathological and DIF findings. DIF positivity was observed in 34 cases. DIF findings correlated with clinical and histopathological findings in 37 cases (94.8%). Interpretation and Conclusion: In this study we found out that DIF serves as a simple, highly sensitive, cost-effective and hence gold standard test for Autoimmune bullous disorders. The technique is essential to supplement clinical findings and histopathology in the diagnosis of these Immunobullous disorders.