Comparisons of pathologic and normal skin reactive autoantibodies and the interference phenomenon.

Immunofluorescent serum studies of the roles of the two groups of normal complement-fixing autoantibodies in psoriasis are complicated by the interference phenomenon. Both antibodies have the potential to react in vivo at sites of trauma and in psoriasiform lesions. In serum tests, only one or the other reacts, as demonstrated by immunofluorescent serum tests and absorption studies with isolated stratum corneum antigen.

When to wait for more evidence? Real options analysis in proton therapy.

Purpose: Trends suggest that cancer spending growth will accelerate. One method for controlling costs is to examine whether the benefits of new technologies are worth the extra costs. However, especially new and emerging technologies are often more costly, while limited clinical evidence of superiority is available.

Can direct immunofluorescence testing still be accurate if performed on biopsy specimens after brief inadvertent immersion in formalin?

Background: Direct immunofluorescence is useful in the diagnosis of autoimmune, vesiculobullous, and connective tissue diseases. Michel medium is typically indicated for transport, but clinicians may inadvertently place samples into formalin.

Objective: We set out to determine the amount of time that specimens can remain in 10% buffered formalin and still retain their diagnostic properties.

A case of bullous disease limited to the skin illustrates the spectrum of neoplasia-induced autoimmunity.

Although the initial report of paraneoplastic pemphigus described individuals with mucocutaneous blistering disease, subsequent reports identified patients with lichen planus or graft versus host disease-like changes. We describe a patient with fatal autoimmune blistering disease with absence of mucous membrane lesions. The pattern of complement indirect immunofluoresence helped identify the prognosis prospectively.