Clinical significance of autoantibodies in pemphigus

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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 four patients with widespread lesions of pemphigus while they were being treated with high doses of corticosteroids. In three patients the antibodies disappeared with clearing of the lesions although one of them had a mild relapse and a low (doubtful) antibody titer four months later. The fourth patient had complete clearing of his lesions on two occasions with a decrease in antibody titers. Both times the clearing was followed by a relapse and a rise of the antibody titer.