Immunofluorescence studies of pemphigus and pemphigoid in Singapore

Immunofluorescence studies (direct and indirect) were done on 48 cases of pemphigus and 55 cases of bullous pemphigoid. All cases of pemphigus had in vivo and in vitro IgG intercellular antibodies except for two patients whose sera were not sent for pemphigus antibodies. 47 (85.4%) of our pemphigoid patients had linear C3 deposits on the basement membrane zone while 29 (52.7%) had IgG deposition. Only 17 (30.9%) patients had circulating pemphigoid antibodies. The results were compared and discussed with those reported by other earlier authors.