Evaluation of the Exposure of Autoimmune Bullous Diseases Patients to Parasites

Abstract

Introduction: Autoimmune blistering diseases are characterized by the presence of
autantibodies. Based on clinical, histopathological, and immunopathological criteria;
autoimmune bullous diseases are categorized into 4 fundamental groups: pemphigus and
pemphigoid diseases, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, and dermatitis herpetiformis.
Aim of the work: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the exposure of autoimmune bullous
disease patients to three parasites; Schistosoma, Fasciola and Toxoplasma.
Patients and Methods: Forty-four autoimmune bullous disease patients and 45 controls
included in this cross-sectional, case control study. Patients and controls were recruited from the
dermatology out-patient clinic in Kasr El-Ainy, Cairo University. Five milliliter blood sample
was withdrawn from each subject. The blood samples were centrifuged to extract the serum.
Serum samples were tested on immunoglobulin G ELISAs of Schistosoma, Fasciola and
Toxoplasma antigens.
Results: As regards Toxoplasma IgG, seventeen of patients were positive (38.6%), and only 4 of
controls were positive (8.9%). There was a statistically significant difference between patients
and controls (p value: 0.001) in immunoglobulin G antibodies against Toxoplasma.
There was no statistically significant difference between patients and controls as regards
Schistosoma and Fasciola in immunoglobulin G antibodies.