[Tests of inflammatory activity in endemic pemphigus foliaceus]

Endemic pemphigus foliaceus (EPF) has its pathogenesis frequently associated to autoimmune phenomena. In this paper, a few routine laboratory tests, usually disturbed in some autoimmune diseases, were taken in 20 patients with EPF, which were screened for antinuclear antibodies (ANA), rheumatoid factor (RF), C-reactive protein (CRP) and changes of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serologic proteins electrophoresis and total leucocyte count. The CRP was found in 60% of cases, leukocytosis in 85%, high ESR in all of them and mild alterations in serologic proteins analysis. No ANA or RF was found. Although widely accepted as nonspecific tests, we believe that an association of the laboratory routine tests with clinical findings, can prove to be helpful in the follow up care of these patients.