@article{3128047,
    title = "Correlation of antibodies against desmogleins 1 and 3 with indirect immunofluorescence and disease status in a Greek population with pemphigus vulgaris",
    author = "Avgerinou, G. and Papafragkaki, D.-K. and Nasiopoulou, A. and Markantoni, V. and Arapaki, A. and Servitzoglou, M. and Katsambas, A. and Stavropoulos, P.G.",
    journal = "Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology",
    year = "2013",
    volume = "27",
    number = "4",
    pages = "430-435",
    issn = "0926-9959, 1468-3083",
    doi = "10.1111/j.1468-3083.2011.04428.x",
    keywords = "desmoglein 1;  desmoglein 1 antibody;  desmoglein 3;  desmoglein 3 antibody, adult;  antibody titer;  article;  correlation analysis;  enzyme linked immunosorbent assay;  female;  Greece;  human;  immunofluorescence;  major clinical study;  male;  pemphigus vulgaris;  population;  priority journal, Autoantibodies;  Desmoglein 1;  Desmoglein 3;  Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay;  Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect;  Greece;  Humans;  Pemphigus;  Retrospective Studies",
    abstract = "Background The use of ELISA testing of antibodies to desmogleins 1 and 3 (anti-Dsg1 and anti-Dsg3) and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) has been strongly supported for the serologic diagnosis of pemphigus. The purpose of this study was to correlate anti-Dsg1 and anti-Dsg3 with IIF values, disease localization, treatment and clinical course in Greek patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV). Methods A total of 54 patients with PV had ELISA serum testing for the presence and titers of anti-Dsg1, anti-Dsg3 and IIF. Anti-Dsg1, anti-Dsg3 and IIF were correlated with treatment and disease localization. For 40 patients, titers of anti-Dsg1 and anti-Dsg3 were assessed in relation to treatment and clinical course after 12 months. Results Anti-Dsg3 and anti-Dsg1 positivity in patients with negative IIF was 70.6% and 58.8%, respectively. Anti-Dsg1 and anti-Dsg3 were positive in 89.3% and 100% of patients with mucocutaneous disease, respectively, 88.9% and 66.7% of patients with skin limited disease, respectively and 52.9% and 76.5% of patients with mucosal limited disease, respectively. Both antibody titers showed significant correlation with IIF and treatment status. Improvement of clinical status was associated with significant decrease of both anti-Dsg1 and anti-Dsg3 after 12 months. Conclusions Serum testing of anti-Dsg1 and anti-Dsg3 in PV patients not only provides significant correlations with IIF, treatment and disease type, but may serve as a monitoring tool for clinical course and treatment guidance. © 2012 The Authors. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology © 2012 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology."
}