Anti-intercellular substance antibodies. Presence in serum samples of 14 patients without pemphigus

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Abstract
Of 1500 patients whose serum samples were evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, 14 had demonstrable titers of anti-intercellular substance (ICS) antibodies in the absence of clinical or histologic evidence of pemphigus. The anti-ICS antibodies were absorbed by A and B blood group antigens in 9 of the 14 patients. In 5 patients, the titers of anti-ICS antibodies were unchanged after absorption with blood substances. All 5 of these patients had cicatricial or bullous pemphigoid on clinical, histologic and immunopathologic examination. Clinical pemphigus did not develop in any of the 14 patients on follow-up examinations conducted for 3-18 mo. Anti-ICS antibodies may be produced in several clinical conditions in which there is damage to the epidermis. These anti-ICS antibodies may not have any pathogenetic activity in vivo, at least within the time limits defined by the follow-up examinations.