Test ID: CIFS    
Cutaneous Immunofluorescence Antibodies (IgG), Serum

Frozen sections of rhesus monkey esophagus and sodium chloride-split human skin are overlaid with dilutions of patient's serum, incubated, covered with fluorescein-conjugated IgG antiserum, and interpreted with a fluorescence microscope.

Herpes gestationis (Pemphigoid):

An indirect immunofluorescence (IF) test is performed with serum to detect the presence and titer of complement (C3) fixing basement zone (BMZ) antibodies. Cryostat-prepared sections of fresh normal human split-skin substrate are first overlaid with dilutions of patient serum, then covered with normal human serum as a source of complement, and finally with fluorescein-conjugated goat anti-human C3. Serum from patients with Herpes gestationis (pemphigoid) contains IgG BMZ antibodies which are capable of fixing complement, termed "HG factor" or "HG IgG". These antibodies are not detected in other dermatosis of pregnancy.

Paraneoplastic Pemphigus:

An indirect IF test is performed with serum to detect the presence and titer of IgG antibodies. Cryostat-prepared sections of fresh rodent bladder substrate are first overlaid with dilutions of patient serum and then covered with fluorescein-conjugated goat anti-human IgG. Serum from patients with paraneoplastic pemphigus contains IgG cell-surface antibodies that bind to simple, columnar and transitional epithelia; BMZ antibodies may also be present. (Immunopathology of the Skin. Edited by EH Beutner, TP Chorzelski, V Kumar. 3rd edition. New York, Wiley Medical Publication, 1987; Gammon WR, Briggaman RA, Inman AO 3rd, et al: Differentiating anti-lamina lucida and anti-sublamina densa anti-BMZ antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence on 1.0 M sodium chloride-separated skin. J Invest Dermatol 1984;82:139-144)

Monday through Friday; 7 a.m.-5 p.m.