Immunofluorescent "Band" Test for Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Biopsies of skin lesions and clinically normal skin from 137 patients, including patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), scleroderma, and polymorphous light eruption (PMLE), were tested by the direct fluorescent antibody technique for the "band" of localized immunoglobulins seen at the dermal-epidermal junction in LE skin. The "band" was present only in lesions of SLE and DLE except for bullous pemphigoid and one of four Jessner's lymphocytic infiltrate lesions. The bullous pemphigoid band differed morphologically from that seen in LE. The band was also seen in clinically normal skin in SLE and bullous pemphigoid. The "band" was frequently present in histopathologic nondiagnostic LE skin lesions and was especially valuable in the early confirmation of a clinical diagnosis of SLE.