The value of biochip mosaic – based indirect immunofluorescence technique in the diagnosis of pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid

Autoimmune bullous diseases are a group of diseases rarely seen, characterized by autoantibodies against structural proteins of the epidermis or the dermal-epidermal junction. Pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid (BP) are the major groups. The diagnosis is based on generally the combination of clinical features, histopathologic and immunofluorescence findings and/or ELISA test. In this study, our goal was to determine the value of a new method in the diagnosis of pemphigus and BP, by usingEUROIMMUN biochip mosaic-based indirect immunofluorescence technique. A total of 63 patients (45 pemphigus and 18 BP) in active phase of the disease and 35 healthy controls who admitted to Dermatology and Venereology Outpatient Clinic of Akdeniz University School of Medicine were included. The patients ABSIS and/or PDAI scores, immunflourescence finding, anti-Dsg1, anti-Dsg3, antiBP180 autoantibody titers by ELİSA (EUROIMMUN) test were recorded. All patients and controls sera were tested by EUROIMMUN biochip mosaic-based indirect immunofluorescence technique. Biochip technique compared with gold standart diagnostic tests, sensitivity and spesifisity were calculated for validity. The sensitivity and specificity of biochip technique in the diagnosis of pemphigus was found 91%, 1and 97,1%, respectively.In detecting anti-Dsg1 and anti-Dsg3 autoantibodies, a good rate of agreement was observed among biochip technique and ELISA test (p<0,01). The sensitivity and specificity of biochip technique in the diagnosis of BP was found 94,4% and 94,3%, respectively. In detecting anti-BP180 autoantibodies, a good rate of agreement was observed among biochip technique and ELISA test (p<0,01). In conclusion; biochip technique in the diagnosis of pemphigus and BP with considerably high sensitivity and spesifisity has value as a cheaper, practical, less time consuming and minimally invasive test which can be used as an initial screening test in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of autoimmune bullous diseases