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Comparison of immunoglobulin and complement deposition in multiple biopsies from the uninvolved skin in dermatitis herpetiformis
Author(s) -
HAFFENDEN G.,
WOJNAROWSKA FENELLA,
FRY LIONEL
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1979.tb15290.x
Subject(s) - dermatitis herpetiformis , immunoglobulin a , antibody , medicine , dermatology , complement (music) , immunoglobulin g , immunoglobulin m , immunology , pathology , biology , disease , biochemistry , complementation , gene , phenotype
SUMMARY The distribution of immunoglobulins and C 3 component of complement (C 3 ) in the skin of twenty‐four patients with dermatitis herpetiformis was studied. Skin biopsies were taken from three sites, the extensor surface of the elbow, the flexor surface of the forearm and from the thigh. Twenty‐two (90%) patients showed variation in deposits of immunoglobulins and C 3 at the three sites. IgA was present in all patients, but differed in quantities deposited at the three sites in nineteen (80%) patients. Similar variation between sites was observed with IgG, IgM and C 3 . There was variation within three biopsies, IgA being absent from some sections and present in others. Three patients had a continuous pattern of IgA deposition. One had both continuous and papillary deposits within a single section. There was no difference in the incidence or quantity of immunoglobulin and C 3 between the elbow, forearm and thigh. There was observed to be a diminution in quantity of IgA and incidence of C 3 in patients taking a gluten‐free diet. Deposition of IgA, IgM, IgG and C 3 is not uniform throughout the skin and conclusions drawn from the quantity of immunoglobulin and C 3 in a single biopsy may not be reliable.