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ABSTRACT
Investigating of the Frequency of Pemphigus Autoantibodies in the First-Degree
Healthy Relatives of Patients with Pemphigus
Pemphigus is an autoimmune blistering disease characterized by circulating
autoantibodies against the keratinocyte cell surface. The evidences indicate that genetic
and environmental factors may play a role in the aetiopathogenesis of the disease.
Pemphigus is associated with alleles of HLA. The pemphigus autoantibodies were also
demonstrated in the sera of the first-degree healthy relatives of patients with pemphigus
in previous studies in different populations
In this study to determine role of the hereditary factors in aetiopathogenesis of the
disease in our region, frequency and existence of pemphigus autoantibodies were
investigated in sera and in skin in the first-degree healthy relatives of the patients with
pemphigus by using autoantibody tests such as immunofluorescence and ELISA.
Sera and skin samples which were obtained from 68 first-degree healthy relatives of the
29 patients with pemphigus were examined by using ELISA and immunofluorescence
tests.
The titers of 1/20 and above of circulating antibodies in sera were found as statistically
significant between healthy relatives and healthy controls in rat esophagus substrates.
But there were no significant differences between titers of both groups in the substrates
of monkey esophagus. ELISA was performed to 32 healthy relatives. The anti-
desmoglein 3 antibodies were detected only in one relative. Direct immunofluorescence
test was performed to 13 healthy relatives. All samples were determined as negative.
As a result of our study the frequency of the pemphigus autoantibodies was not high in
the first-degree healthy relatives of the patients with pemphigus. It was only found to be
statistically significant in certain substrates and titers. By considering these findings, we
concluded that the hereditary factors seem to effect to aetiopathogenesis of the
pemphigus in limited degree in our region.
Keywords: Autoantibodies, familial, hereditary, pemphigus
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