title: Pemphigus-like antibodies in bullous pemphigoid.
abstract: A patient had clinical, histopathologic, and direct immunofluorescent findings compatible with a diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid. In addition, the patient's serum contained pemphigus-like antibodies with different antigenic specificities than true pemphigus antibodies. Absorption of the patient's serum with AB substance failed to block the intercellular substance staining but allowed the demonstration of a basement membrane zone reactive antibody as well. Atypical cases such as this should not cast doubt on the usefulness of immunofluorescence in the diagnosis of bullous skin diseases.
mesh_terms: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D000368:Aged; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D000939:Epitopes; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology; D012872:Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D000906:Antibodies; D000939:Epitopes