Open AccessSkin basement membrane immunofluorescence in rheumatoid arthritis
Author(s) -
Deboer Daniel C.,
Moskowitz Roland W.,
Michel Beno
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.1780200203
Subject(s) - rheumatoid arthritis , immunofluorescence , basement membrane , indirect immunofluorescence , medicine , dermatology , pathology , immunology , antibody
Thirty‐nine patients with rheumatoid arthritis were studied for the presence of skin basement membrane immunofluorescence. Punch biopsies from normal sun‐exposed skin of the forearm were negative for basement membrane immunofluorescence in all cases, except one which was read as questionable. No correlation with serum antinuclear antibody or lupus erythematosus cells was observed. Skin immunofluorescence studies are helpful in differential diagnosis when patients with a clinical picture of rheumatoid arthritis present with serum antinuclear antibodies and lupus erythematosus cells. Positive basement membrane immunofluorescence is strong evidence of systemic lupus erythematosus.