Efficacy of anti-desmoglein 1 and anti-desmoglein 3 levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay compared to biopsy of chronic oral ulcerative diseases with positive Nikolsky's sign to diagnose oral pemphigus vulgaris with or without skin involvement: a retrospective institutional observational pilot study

Objective: We assessed the efficacy of anti-desmoglein 1 (anti-DSG1) and anti-DSG3 levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as a preliminary diagnostic test in the diagnosis of oral pemphigus vulgaris (OPV) with or without skin involvement compared to biopsy.

Study design: We retrospectively analyzed data collected from 23 patients (mean age 45.13 years) who had presented with chronic oral ulcerations, desquamative gingivitis, and a positive Nikolsky's sign. We performed ELISA, histopathologic examination, and direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and then calculated the sensitivity and specificity of the results of ELISA, histopathology, DIF, and the presence of a positive Nikolsky's sign in diagnosis.

Results: The ELISA results showed that 18 patients had elevated anti-DSG3 levels, of whom 8 also had elevated anti-DSG1 levels. The histopathology results indicated that 18 patients had OPV, of whom 4 had oral lichen planus, and 1 had sub-epithelial blistering disease confirmed to be mucous membrane pemphigoid MMP by DIF. ELISA, histopathology, and DIF had a 100% sensitivity and specificity, and the presence of a positive Nikolsky's sign had a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 78.26%, respectively.

Conclusions: Measurement of anti-DSG1 and anti-DSG3 levels by ELISA warrants consideration as a first-line diagnostic test for early detection of OPV with or without skin involvement over biopsy.