Oral Medicine

Question 1

Please select the hypersensitivity type which best fits the following description: ‘IgG-mediated response targeting cell-associated self-antigens’

A - Type I
B - Type II
C - Type III
D - Type IV

Answer 1

Type II

Question 2

Which antigens of the basement zone membrane are the targets of the most dominant auto-antibody response in pemphigus vulgaris?

A - Collagens
B - Desmogleins
C - Integrins
D - Plectins
E - Laminins

Answer 2

B - Desmogleins

Question 3

Which laboratory test is most useful for a definitive diagnosis of pemphigoid or pemphigus?

Answer 3

Direct immunofluorescence

Question 4

Which test is most useful for MONITORING pemphigus and why is it not useful in pemphigoid

Answer 4

Indirect immunofluorescence.

Circulating antibodies are detected only in < 50% of pemphigoid patients, while as many as 90% of pemphigus patients have circulating autoantibodies.