Acantholysis may precede elevation of circulating anti-desmoglein 3 antibody levels in pemphigus vulgaris presenting with desquamative gingivitis
Open Access
- 1 June 2019
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Clinical and Experimental Dental Research
- Vol. 5 (3), 219-224
- https://doi.org/10.1002/cre2.174
Abstract
Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune, blistering disease that affects the mucosa and skin. The current theory favors the concept that anti-desmoglein (Dsg) 3 autoimmunity is the only pathogenic event needed to induce acantholysis. However, a few cases of active PV in the oral cavity had no detectable anti-Dsg 3 antibody. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in clinical and laboratory findings, whether or not the anti-Dsg 3 antibodies were present. This study was based on a retrospective review of 10 PV cases. The evaluation of the circulating autoantibody titers to Dsg 3 was conducted by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). An index value of 20 or more was used as the cutoff for a positive reaction. Only five of the 10 PV cases had a positive Dsg 3 ELISA. There were no differences in clinical, cytological, histopathological, and direct immunofluorescence findings, whether or not the anti-Dsg 3 antibodies were present. Of the five patients with a negative reaction at the time of diagnosis, the Dsg 3 ELISA became positive in the follow-up period in three cases. In the remaining two cases, the Dsg 3 ELISA was consistently negative for 18 months. Dsg 3 ELISA was negative early in some PV cases. Therefore, PV acantholysis may precede the elevation of circulating anti-Dsg 3 antibody levels. The diagnosis of PV should be considered based on comprehensive clinical, histopathological, and immunofluorescent criteria.Keywords
Funding Information
- Grant-in-Aid for Young Researcher Scientists, Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo
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