Autoimmune blistering diseases: an up-date of diagnostic methods and investigations.

Abstract

The clinical picture in autoimmune blistering diseases is often confusing and routine histology and immunofluorescence investigations are not always conclusive in making a final diagnosis. 1,2 Newer techniques such as immunofluorescence using split skin can often clarify the diagnosis. Immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation and immunoelectron microscopy, although crucial in some cases to clinch the diagnosis, are unlikely to be widely available and are too cumbersome for general use