title: Punctate pemphigus: an underreported direct immunofluorescence pattern.
abstract: Intercellular epidermal deposition of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in a continuous net-like or 'chicken wire' pattern is a well-described and diagnostic finding in direct immunofluorescence (DIF) studies of pemphigus. In our experience, punctate or dot-like intercellular deposition of IgG can also be seen in cases of pemphigus but has received little attention in the literature. We describe a series of DIF specimens showing intercellular deposition of IgG in continuous and/or punctate patterns, which occurred with equal frequency in pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus. This series highlights the punctate or dot-like pattern of intercellular IgG deposition in DIF studies of pemphigus, reviews potential mechanisms and calls attention to this potentially under-recognized phenomenon.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology and Pathology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Christine J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: McNiff
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G
keywords: desmosome; dot-like; immunofluorescence; pemphigus; punctate