Document Type : Original Article (s)
Authors
1
Associate Professor, Skin Disease and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
2
Student of Medicine, University Hospital Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
3
Associate Professor, Skin and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran And , Skin Disease and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran, Iran
4
Department of Clinical Immunology, Skin Disease and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan Iran
5
Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
Abstract
Background: Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is a cutaneous autoimmune bullous disease characterized by the presence of anti-desmoglein 1 (DSG1) antibodies. As non-pathogenic variants of these antibodies were found in patients with parasitic diseases, including leishmaniasis, the trigger for the formation of these antibodies is thought to consist of the vector insects of parasitic diseasesfound in endemic regions of PF. This hypothesis has been confirmed by the finding of the non-pathogenic antibodies in patients with one of these parasitic diseases in non-endemic regions for pemphigus foliaceus. The aim of this study was the evaluation of anti-DSG1 antibody in patients suffering fromzoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Isfahan city of Iran.Methods: Blood sera of 58 patients with zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis, confirmed by clinical signs and direct blood smear, were collected and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for anti-DSG1 antibodies was performed on these samples.Findings: 56 out of 58 serum samples of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis were negative for anti-DSG1 antibodies, with one sample having an indeterminate value and one sample being positive. Conclusion: Our results reject our initial hypothesis regarding the role of leishmaniasis in triggering the formation of anti-DSG1 antibodies. Several alternate explanations are possible, including the role of the black fly Simuliumnigrimanum.
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