ELISA Testing of Anti–Desmoglein 1 and 3 Antibodies in the Management of Pemphigus

OBJECTIVE To assess the predictive value of anti–desmoglein (Dsg) 1 and anti-Dsg3 antibody (Ab) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) values for the occurrence of relapses in pemphigus. DESIGN Retrospective study. SETTING Dermatology departments from 13 university hospitals in France. PATIENTS The study population comprised 26 patients with typical clinical, histologic, and immunofluorescence findings of pemphigus, who were followed up over a 17-month period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Serial anti-Dsg1 and anti-Dsg3 Ab ELISA values were recorded during the patients' follow-up examinations and correlated with the occurrence of skin and/or mucosal relapses. RESULTS A significant reduction of anti-Dsg1 (P