Clinical significance of autoantibodies in pemphigus

Abstract

Single determinations of antibodies by means of immunofluorescent (IF) staining were performed on the sera of 35 patients with pemphigus. Antibodies were present in the serum of all 23 patients with active pemphigus. There was a correlation between the level of antibody titers and the activity of the disease. Serial determinations were performed on the sera of 4 patients with widespread lesions of pemphigus while they were being treated with high doses of corticosteroids. In 3 patients the antibodies disappeared with clearing of the lesions although one of them had a mild relapse and a low (doubtful) antibody titer 4 months later. The 4th patient had complete clearing of his lesions on 2 occasions with a decrease in antibody titers. Both times the clearing was followed by a relapse and a rise of the antibody titer.