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Elevated thymosin alpha I levels in Brazilian pemphigus foliaceus
Author(s) -
ROSCOE J.T.,
NAYLOR P.H.,
DIAZ L.A.,
LABIB R.S.,
PATEL H.P.,
GOLDSTEIN A.L.,
SAMPAIO S.A.P.,
ANHALT G.J.
Publication year - 1986
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.1365-2133.1986.tb05710.x
Subject(s) - pemphigus foliaceus , pemphigus , radioimmunoassay , thymosin , alpha (finance) , medicine , immunology , dermatology , autoantibody , antibody , surgery , construct validity , patient satisfaction
SUMMARY Levels of thymosin alpha I in the sera of 37 patients with Brazilian pemphigus foliaceus (BPF) were measured using a competitive binding radioimmunoassay. The values were compared with 19 patients with other forms of pemphigus, 13 relatives of patients with BPF, 18 patients with other dermatological diseases, and 265 normal controls. We found that 27 (73%) of the patients with BPF had thymosin alpha I serum levels that were at least two standard deviations above the mean for normal individuals. The mean value for patients with BPF was significantly greater than any other groups studied. The thymosin elevation is similar to alterations seen in certain viral diseases and suggests that BPF is aetiopathogenically distinct from the other forms of pemphigus.