The detection of anti-skin (IC and BMZ) antibodies aids in the diagnosis, and sometimes prognosis, of chronic vesicular-bullous diseases including pemphigus, pemphigoid, cicatricial pemphigoid, and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA).

Gold serum separator (SST) tube

Immediately following collection, thoroughly mix sample by gently inverting 5 times

1. Allow sample to clot for a minimum of 30 minutes
2. Spin within two (2) hours of sample collection
3. Transfer serum to a Transfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp)

Transfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp)

Red serum vial/tube - 5 mL

1. Allow sample to clot
2. Spin 
3. Transfer serum to a Transfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp)

Ambient (preferred) - 5 days

Refrigerated - 5 days

Frozen  - 1 year

• Grossly hemolysis
• Lipemia
• Icteric specimens
• Bacterial contamination
• Non-serum specimen types

Indirect immunofluorescence (IIF)

An interpretive report will be provided

Epithelial intercellular antibodies are diagnostic for pemphigus and occur in over 90% of patients with active forms. Because of the species specificity of intercellular antibodies, the use of the dual substrates further distinguishes the intercellular antibodies of pemphigus vulgaris and vegetans from the antibodies of pemphigus foliaceus and erythematosus. Antibodies to basement membrane antigens of stratified squamous epithelium occur in about 70% of active bullous pemphigoid, 50% of vesicular pemphigoid and EBA and 10% of cicatricial pemphigoid patients.