How is Pemphigus Vulgaris diagnosed?
Pemphigus Vulgaris is rare and most general practitioners (GPs) have never seen it. So it’s essential the diagnosis of PV is made by a dermatologist (a hospital doctor specialising in skin conditions) or another medical specialist in dealing with PV. Early diagnosis is important because the sooner you get treated the sooner you can start to feel more comfortable before it becomes too severe. There are three things which might suggest PV: • a visual examination by a dermatologist. • a lesion biopsy – A sample of an unbroken blister is removed and examined under the microscope. • direct immunofluorescence – The biopsy skin sample is treated in the laboratory to find the PV antibodies which indicate PV. There is another useful test called indirect immunofluorescence (sometimes called an antibody titre test). This measures PV antibody levels in the blood. The most accurate test to measure PV antibodies in the blood is called the ELISA test but it is not available in all laboratories. It me
