EVALUATION OF DIRECT IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE (DIF) OF SKIN AND HAIR IN PEMPHIGUS VULGARIS

Col (Dr) Mahendra Singh Deora; Col (Dr) Ajamal Singh Bhayal (Retd)

Volume : VIII, Issue : III, March - 2018

EVALUATION OF DIRECT IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE (DIF) OF SKIN AND HAIR IN PEMPHIGUS VULGARIS

Col Dr Mahendra Singh Deora, Col Dr Ajamal Singh Bhayal Retd

Abstract :

Pemphigus is a group of autoimmune bullous diseases, in which anti–desmoglein autoantibodies induce the loss of keratinocyte adhesion, leading to blisters. Evaluation of the direct immunofluorescence of plucked hair and skin was done in pemphigus vulgaris patients in clinical remission. On direct immunofluorescence test of hair (IgG), among the 20 patients, 14 showed intercellular IgG deposition in Outer Root Sheath of hair follicle. Six cases showed no such IgG deposition in ORS of hair follicle. On DIF test of skin (IgG), among the 20 patients, 14 showed lace like deposition of IgG in squamous intercellular space of epidermis. Similarly 6 cases showed no such IgG deposits. Fourteen patients were positive in both hair and skin DIF tests. There was one case with false positive test as ORS of hair follicle was positive for DIF but skin DIF was negative. One case showed false negative result as ORS of hair follicle was negative but skin was positive on DIF. This present study shows the sensitivity of 92.8%, however, the specificity is85.7%.