Spectrum of autoantibodies other than anti-desmoglein in pemphigus patients

Pemphigus is a life-threatening autoimmune blistering disease mediated by autoantibodies against adhesion molecule of the skin. Its concurrence with systemic and organ-specific autoimmune disease was described in case reports.

To evaluate the presence of a broad spectrum of organ-specific and non-organ-specific autoantibodies other than anti-desmoglein antibodies in pemphigus patients.

Serum samples were obtained from 105 pemphigus foliaceus (PF) patients, 51 pemphigus vulgaris (PV) patients and 50 controls. Both indirect immunofluorescence assay and ELISA were used to assess the presence of autoantibodies related to connective tissue diseases, autoimmune hepatitis, vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis, coeliac disease, diabetes and thyroiditis.

Significant difference was observed between the three groups for anti-thyroglobulin antibodies in the pemphigus foliaceus group (18% vs. 4%, P=0.03). A significantly higher occurrence of IgM anti-cardiolipin (P=0.03), IgG anti-reticulin (P=0.01) and IgG anti-gliadin antibodies (P=0.008) were observed in the PV group. Cases with more than four autoantibodies were frequently positives for both anti-desmoglein 1 and anti-desmoglein 3.

Autoantibodies other than anti-desmoglein antibodies are not rare in pemphigus patients. Clinical and serological follow-up of pemphigus patients with positive autoantibodies are needed to clarify their impact in disease evolution.