Demonstration of pemphigus-specific immunofluorescence pattern by direct immunofluorescence of plucked hair.

BACKGROUND: Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) of perilesional skin is the gold standard in the diagnosis of pemphigus. Since the outer root sheath (ORS) of anagen hair is structurally analogous to epidermal keratinocytes, pemphigus specific immunofluorescence pattern may be present in the ORS. METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients of pemphigus were enrolled in the study, irrespective of any other inclusion or exclusion criteria. Hairs were plucked in a similar fashion to that of trichogram. Approximately 5 anagen hairs were selected processed and stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) conjugates. DIF of perilesional skin and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) were carried out simultaneously. DIF of hair was also done in equal numbers of controls with other dermatoses. RESULTS: Intercellular deposition of IgG was seen in the ORS of anagen hair in 85% of patients (n = 17). The test was positive in all patients who had scalp lesions (n = 10); however, it was also positive in 7 patients (77.7%) who did not have scalp lesions. The test was negative in 3 patients; two of whom were elderly and had sparse scalp hair. The other patient only had mucosal lesion. The test was negative in the control group. CONCLUSION: DIF of hair is a simple, non-invasive test. In future, it may alleviate the need for skin biopsies, in patients with pemphigus.

Clothes-on PUVA in psoriasis: single blind randomized comparative trial on 21 patients.

BACKGROUND: PUVASOL therapy has an inherent drawback of patient compliance in that Indian female patients with psoriasis lesions on covered parts of the body are reluctant to expose themselves. In this study we tried to evaluate a new method of administering PUVA therapy wearing a fabric. AIM: To compare the efficacy and safety of PUVA administration with and without wearing clothes in psoriasis. METHOD: We first found the UV transmissibility of plain woven, lightweight cream colored cotton fabric with 30 x 30 threads per square cm. area and calculated its sun protection factor (SPF). A single blind, randomized, comparative, clinical trial was then conducted on 21 patients with psoriasis vulgaris who were treated with bath PUVA. The study group received ultraviolet light while wearing a gown made up of the above cotton fabric and the control group received ultraviolet light without wearing the gown. The study group was given an UV dose higher in proportion to the SPF of the worn fabric so that blockage caused by cloth could be neutralized. The cloth-uncovered areas were covered with a sunscreen. UVA from artificial light source was used for better patient monitoring. RESULTS: After 12 PUVA treatments both the treatments were found to be equally effective, and there were no differences in the side effects. CONCLUSION: Thus we conclude that PUVA can be given wearing a fabric provided the UV dosage is increased proportional to the SPF of the fabric. The same fabric may be used for PUVASOL therapy.