How do you test for bullous pemphigoid?

To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may order blood tests and take a small sample of the affected skin (skin biopsy) for laboratory testing.

What does indirect immunofluorescence test for?

Indirect immunofluorescence, or secondary immunofluorescence, is a technique used in laboratories to detect circulating autoantibodies in patient serum. It is used to diagnose autoimmune blistering diseases.

What is the principle of indirect immunofluorescence?

Principle of the Test If the sample is positive, specific antibodies in the diluted serum sample attach to the antigens coupled to a solid phase. In a second step, the attached antibodies are stained with fluorescein-labeled anti-human antibodies and visualized with the fluorescence microscope.

What is indirect fluorescent antibody?

The indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFA) is a semi-quantitative, sensitive, and rapid test for the detection of anti-rabies virus (RABV) immunoglobulin M (IgM) and G (IgG) antibodies in serum and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) samples.

What does ANA blood work test for?

An ANA test detects antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in your blood. Your immune system normally makes antibodies to help you fight infection. In contrast, antinuclear antibodies often attack your body’s own tissues — specifically targeting each cell’s nucleus.

How does IFA test work?

IFA is an assay which uses fluorescent microscopy to detect antibodies to specific antigenic material. This test is often used to confirm positive results obtained by ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) or MFIA® (Multiplexed Fluorometric ImmunoAssay®).

Why is indirect immunofluorescence more commonly used?

In contrast, indirect immunofluorescence is more commonly used because of its high sensitivity and provides an amplified signal since more than one secondary antibody can attach to each primary antibody.

What is bullous disease?

bullous disease. A general term for any dermopathy characterised by the splitting of the epidermis into bullae, often covering large areas of the skin surface. Aetiology of epidermal/dermal split. Autoimmune, lichenoid, mechanical, spongiotic.

Can I work with bullous diseases?

In such cases, it is generally impossible to continue working. Others who suffer from bullous diseases find it impossible to work because the blisters themselves make it impossible to use the affected body parts. Depending on where the blisters manifest, they can hinder you from performing any number of work related activities.

What are the differential diagnoses for bullous pemphigoid?

Differential diagnosis. The differential diagnoses will include: Cicatricial pemphigoid (this is a complex condition where skin lesions are usually trivial and mucosal lesions heal with scarring. Several different autoantibodies have been implicated). Dermatitis herpetiformis. Bullous drug eruptions. Epidermolysis bullosa.

What does bullous pemphigoid mean?

bullous pemphigoid. n. A chronic generally benign skin disease, usually of old age, characterized by subepidermal blisters that cause detachment of the epidermis but that tend to heal without scarring.