title: Pitfalls in immunofluorescence testing in dermatology. III. Pemphigus-like antibodies in the horse and direct immunofluorescence testing in equine dermatophilosis.
abstract: Indirect immunofluorescence testing for pemphigus-like antibodies was performed on 79 horses: 28 horses with various nonpemphigus dermatologic diseases, 21 horses with various nondermatologic diseases, and 30 normal horses. Pemphigus-like antibodies were detected in 6 horses: 3 normal horses with titers of 1:40, 2 horses with dermatophilosis at titers of 1:10 and 1:80, and 1 horse with lymphosarcoma at a titer of 1:320. It was concluded that equine pemphigus-like antibodies are a potential source of misinterpretation and misdiagnosis in indirect immunofluorescence testing. Direct immunofluorescence testing for whole immunoglobulin, IgG, IgM, and IgA was performed on skin lesions from 2 horses with dermatophilosis. Diffuse intercellular deposition of whole immunoglobulin and IgG was found in both horses. It was concluded that equine dermatophilosis is a potential source of misinterpretation and misdiagnosis in direct immunofluorescence testing.
mesh_terms: D000193:Actinomycetales Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique / Q000662:veterinary; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D006736:Horses; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M