title: Clinical and diagnostic features of mucous membrane pemphigoid.
abstract: The aim of this study was to characterize the clinical and diagnostic features of mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP). Five MMP patients were evaluated, and biopsies were obtained for routine histopathology and direct immunofluorescence. Circulating autoantibodies were verified by indirect immunofluorescence. Circulating immunoglobulin G autoantibody specific for 180 kDa bullous pemphigoid antigen (BP180) was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All 5 patients complained of erythematous gingiva. Two patients had extraoral lesions involving the nasal mucosa, eyes, and skin. Histopathological confirmation was established for 4 of the patients, while direct immunofluorescence findings were positive in all 5. Although circulating autoantibodies were not identified by indirect immunofluorescence, the BP180 ELISA was positive in 3 cases. Both histopathological and direct immunofluorescence examinations are essential to establish a definitive diagnosis. Identification of circulating BP180 specific autoantibody shows promise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Nihon University School of Dentistry, Matsudo, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroyasu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Endo
authors.forename: Terry D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Rees
authors.forename: Kayo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kuyama
authors.forename: Yoshiharu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kono
authors.forename: Hirotsugu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000032:analysis; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D000071821:Dystonin; D004890:Erythema / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D024041:Non-Fibrillar Collagens; D010390:Pemphigoid, Benign Mucous Membrane / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D000097805:Collagen Type XVII
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D000071821:Dystonin; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D024041:Non-Fibrillar Collagens; D000097805:Collagen Type XVII; C486268:DST protein, human