Correlation of pemphigus vulgaris antibody titers by indirect immunofluoresence with activity of disease based on pemphigus area and activity score [PAAS]

Indirect immunofluorescence [IIF] has been used to identify and measure autoantibody levels in pemphigus vulgaris but data about relationship between clinical severity of disease and antibody titers by IIF have been conflicting. We conducted this cross-sectional study to correlate the severity of oral and/or cutaneous involvement in patients with pemphigus vulgaris based on Pemphigus Area and Activity Score with IIF titers. Sixty-one new pemphigus vulgaris patients were included in this study. Human prepuce was used as substrate for IIF and assessment of disease severity was based on Pemphigus Area and Activity Score. The mean +/- SD age was 44.04 +/- 30.46 years, with a range of 18 to 79 years. IIF was positive in 56 [91.8%] patients. There was a significant relationship between total disease score and IIF titers [[P<0.001]. Also a significant relationship was found between skin score [P=0.04] and mucosal score [P=0.04] with IIF titers. Our results show that there is a significant relationship between disease activity based on Pemphigus Area and Activity Score and antibody titers by IIF. Further studies are recommended to determine the usefulness of this technique for monitoring disease

[Reaction to patch test in patients with clinical diagnoses of contact and atopic dermatitis]

Introduction: Contact eczema is a common inflammatory skin disease; different materials with irritant and allergic mechanisms can produce this disease. Although history and physical examination are important in diagnosis of allergen, because of extent of several factors, environmental allergens, were not simply recognized. Patch test is an important diagnostic tool to confirm allergic contact dermatitis and can reduce mistake of clinical diagnoses

Objective: Determine frequency of dermatic allergens in patients with contact or atopic dermatitis who were referred to Razi hospital in Rasht

Materials and Methods: In a descriptive cross sectional study during 22 months, 100 patients with clinical diagnoses of contact and atopic dermatitis who referred to Razi hospital patch tested with European standard series containing 24 allergens. Their reactions were evaluated after 24, 48 and 72 hours after application of patch test. Data was collected and were analyzed by SPSS. [P<0.05 was considered significant]

Results: Among 100 patients, positive patch test was seen in 36% whic mean age of them was [30.67] years [SD=10.85]. The most common involved location was hand [86%] and most common allergens were Nickel sulfate [20%] and potassium dichromate [9%]. In this study 6[25%] of all allergens showed positive reaction

Conclusion: Nickel Sulfate and Potassium Dichromate were the most common contact allergens in our study