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Updated: May 11, 2026
12:23
Granulocyte-dependent Autoantibody-induced Skin Blistering
Published on: October 12, 2012
Endemic pemphigus foliaceus in the Peruvian Amazon.
A G Ortega-Loayza1, W Ramos, E L Gutierrez
1Department of Dermatology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA. aortegaloayza2@mcvh-vcu.edu
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology
|May 23, 2013
Summary
Endemic pemphigus foliaceus (EPF) in Peru involves IgG autoantibodies targeting desmoglein 1 (Dsg1). Peruvian EPF patients exhibit humoral responses consistent with South American cases.
Area of Science:
- Immunodermatology
- Autoimmunity
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Endemic pemphigus foliaceus (EPF) is an epidermal blistering disease.
- Characterized by IgG autoantibodies against desmoglein 1 (Dsg1).
- Reported in Brazil, Colombia, Tunisia, and Peru.
Purpose of the Study:
- Characterize humoral response to Dsg1 and Dsg3 autoantibodies in Peruvian EPF patients.
- Investigate specific IgG subclasses against Dsg1.
- Assess anti-Dsg3 autoantibody presence.
Main Methods:
- Indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on human skin and monkey esophagus.
- Immunoprecipitation with recombinant Dsg1 and Dsg3.
- ELISA for IgG and its subclasses against Dsg1 and Dsg3.
Main Results:
- IIF detected intercellular autoantibodies in over 80% of patients.
- All sera immunoprecipitated Dsg1; 6.25% immunoprecipitated Dsg3.
- ELISA showed anti-Dsg1 in 81.25%, anti-Dsg3 in 31.25%. IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 were prominent against Dsg1.
Conclusions:
- Peruvian EPF shares immunological features with other South American EPF cases.
- Strong anti-Dsg1 response is characteristic.
- Presence of anti-Dsg3 antibodies noted.
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