Indirect immunofluorescence on salt-split skin and bullous pemphigoid 180 NC16a enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the value of indirect immunofluorescence on salt-split skin (IIF-SSS) and bullous pemphigoid 180 NC16a enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (BP180 NC16a-ELISA) in the diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid (BP) . Methods Serum samples were collected from 174 BP patients and 129 controls, who were enrolled from Institute of Dermatology of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College between January 2015 and August 2017, and subjected to IIF-SSS and BP180 NC16a-ELISA. Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) test was performed in 25 cases of BP, and its sensitivity for the diagnosis of BP was compared with that of IIF-SSS and BP180 NC16a-ELISA. Results The sensitivities for IIF-SSS and BP180 NC16a-ELISA were 93.67% and 96.55% respectively, and the specificities for IIF-SSS and BP180 NC16a-ELISA were 100% and 96.12% respectively. IIF-SSS was weakly correlated with BP180 NC16a-ELISA with a correlation coefficient of 0.147. There was no significant difference in the sensitivity between the serological diagnostic methods (IIF-SSS and BP180 NC16a-ELISA) and DIF. Conclusion Serological diagnostic methods show high specificity and sensitivity in the diagnosis of BP, and are worthy of clinical promotion and application. Key words: Pemphigoid, bullous; Diagnosis; Fluorescent antibody technique, indirect; Skin; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay