title: The lupus band test in oral mucosa, conjunctiva and skin.
abstract: The prevalence and clinical significance of subepithelial immunoglobulin and complement deposition (the lupus band) were examined in the uninvolved sun-protected skin of the forearm, the uninvolved sun-protected lip mucosa and sun-protected bulbar conjunctival mucosa in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE). In SLE, linear deposition of an immunoreactant at the BMZ was detected in 32% (6/19) of skin biopsies; 21% (4/19) of lip mucosal biopsies and 42% (5/12) of conjunctival biopsies. There was no significant difference in the sensitivity of the test at different sites in SLE and no correlation between a positive test in skin, lip or conjunctiva and clinical mucosal involvement. In CCLE, linear deposition of an immunoreactant at the BMZ was found in 3% (1/32) of skin biopsies; 3% (1/29) of lip mucosal biopsies and 50% (10/20) of conjunctiva and clinical mucosal involvement. In the conjunctiva, IgG was present in all but one of the biopsies and was the only immunoreactant in 90% (9/10) of positive CCLE biopsies and 60% (3/5) of positive SLE biopsies. In lupus erythematosus immunoreactants may be deposited in the basement membrane zone beneath non-keratinizing mucosal surfaces of the lip and the eye as well as the skin. In CCLE, the test may be positive in conjunctiva when skin and lip are negative.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Slade Hospital, Oxford.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Burge
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Frith
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Millard
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wojnarowska
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015922:Complement C1q / Q000032:analysis; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D008179:Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid / Q000276:immunology*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D003176:Complement C3; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D015922:Complement C1q