Influence of IVIg therapy on autoantibody titers to desmoglein 1 in patients with pemphigus foliaceus

Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is an autoimmune skin disease characterized by the presence of a pathogenic autoantibody to desmoglein 1, an epidermal cadherin molecule. Antibody titers to the desmoglein 1 protein can be used to monitor disease activity and severity in patients with PF. The purpose of this study is to report the influence of IVIg therapy on anti-desmoglein 1 antibody titers, in eight patients with severe PF, over a period of 18 consecutive months on each patient. This prospective study consisted of eight patients with severe widespread active PF at the time of entry into the study. The levels of autoantibody to desmoglein 1 were measured by an ELISA, at monthly intervals. Sera of all eight had high titers of the autoantibody to desmoglein 1, prior to initiating of IVIg therapy. A statistically significant reduction in the autoantibody titer index to desmoglein 1 was seen after 4 months of IVIg therapy. All eight patients were observed to have a progressive decline in autoantibody titer index while they were receiving IVIg. Patients on IVIg therapy had nondetectable titers after a mean period of 13 months and continued to remain in a serological remission for an additional observation period of 5 months. In the context of this study, autoantibody titers to desmoglein 1 can be used to monitor the serological response to treatment in patients with PF. Patients receiving IVIg therapy achieve serological remission. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA).