Lupus band test | |
---|---|
![]() Microphotograph of a
histological section of human skin prepared for
direct immunofluorescence using an anti-
IgG antibody. The skin is from a person with
systemic lupus erythematosus and shows
IgG deposits at two different places: The first is a bandlike deposit along the epidermal
basement membrane ("lupus band test" is positive); the second is within the
nuclei of the
epidermal cells (antinuclear antibodies are present). | |
Purpose | distinguish different types of lupus |
Lupus band test is done upon skin biopsy, with direct immunofluorescence staining, in which, if positive, IgG and complement depositions are found at the dermoepidermal junction. [1]: 212 This test can be helpful in distinguishing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from cutaneous lupus, because in SLE the lupus band test will be positive in both involved and uninvolved skin, whereas with cutaneous lupus only the involved skin will be positive. [1]: 212
The minimum criteria for positivity are: [2]
The presence of other immunoglobulins (especially IgA) and/or complement proteins (especially C4) increases the specificity of a positive test.[ citation needed]
Lupus band test | |
---|---|
![]() Microphotograph of a
histological section of human skin prepared for
direct immunofluorescence using an anti-
IgG antibody. The skin is from a person with
systemic lupus erythematosus and shows
IgG deposits at two different places: The first is a bandlike deposit along the epidermal
basement membrane ("lupus band test" is positive); the second is within the
nuclei of the
epidermal cells (antinuclear antibodies are present). | |
Purpose | distinguish different types of lupus |
Lupus band test is done upon skin biopsy, with direct immunofluorescence staining, in which, if positive, IgG and complement depositions are found at the dermoepidermal junction. [1]: 212 This test can be helpful in distinguishing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from cutaneous lupus, because in SLE the lupus band test will be positive in both involved and uninvolved skin, whereas with cutaneous lupus only the involved skin will be positive. [1]: 212
The minimum criteria for positivity are: [2]
The presence of other immunoglobulins (especially IgA) and/or complement proteins (especially C4) increases the specificity of a positive test.[ citation needed]