Lupus band test - skin
Last updated: Thursday, 22, April, 2004
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | Biopsy of normal, non-sun-exposed skin and of affected skin. Specimens should not be placed in fixative and should be transported rapidly to the laboratory on moist gauze. |
| Method | Direct IF. |
| Application | Diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). |
| Interpretation | Immunoglobulin and C3 deposition at the dermo-epidermal junction of both lesional and normal skin is seen in SLE. Whereas deposition in lesional, but not normal, skin occurs in discoid lupus. Sensitivity for SLE is 60%. Relatively specific for SLE, however any form of skin damage may cause basement membrane deposition of immunoglobulin. |
| Reference | Harris TJ and Mihm MC. Arthr Rheum 1980; 23: 479-490. |