Diagnostic significance of colloid body deposition in direct immunofluorescence.
BACKGROUND
Colloid bodies (CB) in direct immunofluorescence (DIF) studies are usually found in interface dermatitis. Furthermore, CB can be found in various skin diseases and even in normal skin.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the diagnostic value of CB deposits in DIF studies.


METHODS
From 1996-2007, data from 502 patients where DIF studies showed immunoreactants at CB were enrolled. The definite diagnoses of these patients were based on clinical, histopathological and immunofluorescent findings. The results of DIF studies were analyzed.


RESULTS
Immunoreactants at CB were detected in 44.4%, 43.8%, 4.2%, 3.8%, and 2.2% of interface dermatitis, vasculitis, autoimmune vesiculobullous disease, panniculitis, and scleroderma/morphea, respectively. The most common immunoreactant deposit of all diseases was Immunoglobulin M (IgM). Brighter intensity and higher quantity of CB was detected frequently in the group with interface dermatitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Immunoreactant deposits at CB alone can be found in various diseases but a strong intensity and high quantity favor the diagnosis of interface dermatitis. CB plus dermoepidermal junction (DEJ) deposits are more common in interface dermatitis than any other disease. Between lichen planus (LP) and discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), CB alone is more common in LP; whereas, CB plus DEJ and superficial blood vessel (SBV) is more common in DLE. The most common pattern in both diseases is CB plus DEJ. The quantity and intensity of CB in LP is higher than in DLE.
Chularojanamontri
Leena
L
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Prannok Road, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok-107 00, Thailand. dr.leena@yahoo.co.th
Tuchinda
Papapit
P
Triwongwaranat
Daranporn
D
Pinkaew
Sumruay
S
Kulthanan
Kanokvalai
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D003102:Colloids; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015434:Panniculitis / Q000473:pathology; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D012872:Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / Q000473:pathology; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
D003102:Colloids