title: Antibodies against desmoglein 1 in healthy subjects in endemic and nonendemic areas of pemphigus foliaceus (fogo selvagem) in Peru.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endemic pemphigus foliaceus or fogo selvagem is an autoimmune skin disease characterized by the presence of subcorneal superficial blisters and antibodies of the immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) class specific for the desmosomal glycoprotein, desmoglein 1. In Peru, no studies have been published on the seroprevalence of antibodies against desmoglein 1 in healthy subjects from endemic foci.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study. The sample included 82 healthy subjects, 41 from the Pueblo Libre community, a focus of endemic pemphigus foliaceus, and 41 from a nonendemic urban area in Pucallpa City. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the presence of antibodies against desmoglein 1. Samples were processed and tested at the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that 31.7% of healthy individuals (13 subjects) from the endemic focus had anti-desmoglein 1 antibodies. A statistically significant association was found between the distance from the endemic focus and the presence of antibodies against desmoglein 1 in subjects living within the endemic focus [Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio (OR), 3.34; P = 0.03; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06-10.48]. Agriculture as an occupation showed a statistically significant association with the presence of antibodies against desmoglein 1 (Mantel-Haenszel OR, 7.84; P < 0.001; 95% CI, 2.47-24.87).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antibodies against desmoglein 1 are present in healthy subjects exposed to an endemic focus of pemphigus foliaceus (fogo selvagem). Agriculture is associated with a high risk of development of antibodies against desmoglein 1 in the endemic focus of the Pueblo Libre community.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Institute, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru. alexgerardo77@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Alex G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Ortega Loayza
authors.forename: Willy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Elgart
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bouman
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jiménez
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Avila
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rojas
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vilcarromero
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hurtado
authors.forename: Gisella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lindo
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Galarza
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D051183:Desmoglein 1 / Q000276:immunology*; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D010568:Peru / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D051183:Desmoglein 1