Main description:

Immunofluorescence is a key diagnostic tool in dermatopathology, and essential in the diagnosis of connective tissue diseases, vasculitis and other cutaneous disorders. The need to interpret the results of immunofluorescence testing, and correlate these with histopathological results, is a key skill required not just of dermatopathologists but also, increasingly, of dermatologists who either read the slides themselves or use a pathology lab or academic referral centre.

Handbook of Direct Immunofluorescence covers not only day-to-day findings but also less common patterns and rarities, and gives information on important diagnostic pitfalls. Each chapter is dedicated to a specific disease and is introduced by concise text that describes the clinical presentation and pathogenesis: then, multiple images show the range of histopathological and immunofluorescence findings associated with the disease in question.

Key points

Practical, clinically oriented coverage provides invaluable resource for dermato-, oral and general pathologists, as well as dermatologists
Includes invaluable information on technical aspects (specimen procurement, transportation, etc) as well as guidance on interpreting histopathological and immunofluorescence findings
Pattern-based approach serves as logical framework for reaching a diagnosis, as well as understanding when to order additional tests and how to recognise nonspecific findings

Contents:

Section I: Epithelial intercellular staining pattern

Chapter 1 Pemphigus vulgaris

Chapter 2 Pemphigus vegetans

Chapter 3 Pemphigus foliaceus

Chapter 4 Pemphigus herpetiformis

Chapter 5 IgA pemphigus

Chapter 6 IgG/IgA pemphigus

Section II: Epithelial nuclear staining pattern

Chapter 7 Connective tissue diseases

Chapter 8 Chronic ulcerative stomatitis

Section III: Epithelial intercellular and basement membrane zone

staining pattern

Chapter 9 Paraneoplastic pemphigus

Chapter 10 Pemphigus erythematosus

Section IV: Linear basement membrane zone staining pattern

Chapter 11 Bullous pemphigoid

Chapter 12 Mucous membrane pemphigoid (cicatricial pemphigoid)

Chapter 13 Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita

Chapter 14 Bullous lupus erythematosus

Chapter 15 Linear IgA bullous dermatosis

Chapter 16 Pemphigoid gestationis (herpes gestationis)

Chapter 17 Lichen planus pemphigoides

Chapter 18 Anti-p200 pemphigoid

Section V: Granular basement membrane zone staining pattern

Chapter 19 Dermatitis herpetiformis

Chapter 20 Lupus erythematosus

Chapter 21 Nonspecific granular dermoepidermal junction staining

Section VI: Fibrillar basement membrane zone staining pattern

Chapter 22 Lichen planus

Section VII: Cytoid bodies

Chapter 23 Interface dermatitis/mucositis

Section VIII: Granular vascular staining pattern

Chapter 24 Leukocytoclastic vasculitis

Chapter 25 Henoch-Schoenlein purpura

Chapter 26 Nonspecific granular vascular staining

Section IX: Smooth vascular staining pattern

Chapter 27 Porphyria cutanea tarda

Chapter 28 Pseudoporphyria

Chapter 29 Nonspecific smooth vascular staining