New laboratory techniques for the assessment of acquired immunobullous disorders

This review aims to summarize investigations that are used in the assessment of patients with suspected immunobullous disorders. Emphasis is placed upon new adaptations of existing techniques and the advent of recombinant technology, which has enabled the production of synthetic antigens. The use of recombinant antigens has provided the latest generation of diagnostic techniques that are likely to make a major impact on routine diagnosis of immunobullous disorders.