CTA Lab provides excellent direct immunofluorescence testing for difficult cases of autoimmune and inflammatory skin diseases. Dr. Curtis T. Thompson and Dr. Jessica Spies are highly skilled at diagnosing immunofluorescence cases.
Below are our guidelines for obtaining biopsies for different diseases:
- Pemphigus and pemphigoid groups (including linear IgA bullous dermatosis and chronic bullous disease of childhood): Biopsy erythematous perilesional skin or mucosa. Avoid erosions, ulcers, and bullae while obtaining tissue adjacent to active lesions. Label as perilesional skin.
- Dermatitis herpetiformis: Biopsy normal-appearing skin, 0.5-1.0 cm away from lesion. Label as perilesional skin.
- Lupus erythematosus: Involved areas of skin such as erythematous or active borders are preferred biopsy sites to confirm the diagnosis of lupus erythematosus, either discoid or systemic. Label as involved skin. Avoid ulcers, old lesions, and facial lesions, if possible. Uninvolved, nonexposed skin is the preferred site to detect a lupus band as may be found in systemic lupus erythematosus. Should unexposed skin be desired, buttock or medial thigh is suggested. Label as uninvolved, nonexposed skin.
- Mixed connective tissue disease: Biopsy as for lupus erythematosus except when sclerodermoid features are present. For sclerodermoid features, biopsy inflamed area. Label as involved or uninvolved, exposed or nonexposed skin.
- Vasculitis and urticaria: The erythematous or active border of a new lesion is preferred. Avoid old lesions and ulcers. Label as involved skin. If appropriate skin lesion is not present, diagnosis may sometimes be made from uninvolved skin.
- Porphyria cutanea tarda: Biopsy involved skin. Avoid old lesions and ulcers. Label as involved skin.
- Lichen planus and lichenoid reactions: Biopsy involved skin. Avoid old lesions and ulcers. Label as involved skin.
Direct Immunofluorescene Information
