Immunofluorescence

Question 1

Direct vs indirect

Answer 1

Direct = directly testing for antibodies present in a skin biopsy - we stain patient skin

Indirect = testing for autoantibodies present in patient serum -> we add patient serum to monkey oesophagus slides

Question 2

Talk about direct immunofluroescence

Answer 2

Skin biopsy embedded and froxden
Sections takes and washed
FITC labelled conjugate antibody added
Unbound conjugate is washed away
Slides viewed with a fluorescent microscope

Question 3

Give an example of where direct immunofluorescence is used

Answer 3

lupus erythematosus (discoid or systemic)
- looking for IgG and IgM
- seen as either a homogenous band of closely spaced granules, stippples or fibrils at the DEJ

Question 4

What are we looking for in indirect

Answer 4

Intracellular antibodies
basement membrane antibodies

Question 5

In what conditions are intracellular antibodies seen

Answer 5

Pemphigus autoimmune disorders

Question 6

In what condition are basement membrane antibodies seen

Answer 6

Bullous pemphigoid disorders