title: Relapsing polychondritis. Immunomicroscopic findings in cartilage of ear biopsy specimens.
abstract: Two cases of relapsing polychondritis are reported. Direct immunofluorescence examination of ear biopsy specimens in both patients showed the presence of granular deposits of immunoglobulins and the C3 component of complement at the chondrofibrous junction. These findings suggest that immunomicroscopic examination of ear cartilage could be diagnostically useful in this disease.
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D004425:Ear Cartilage / Q000276:immunology*; D004431:Ear, External / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008875:Middle Aged; D011081:Polychondritis, Relapsing / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D003176:Complement C3; D007136:Immunoglobulins