Objective: To detect the autoantibodies on 30 first-degree relatives of 12 patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV), who may share the same susceptible gene with the patients.
Methods: Immunoblot and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) method were used to detect circulatory PV antibodies in the peripheral blood.
Results: PV antibodies were found in 19 of 30 (63%) relatives by both methods, but 10 control serum were all negative by both methods.
Conclusion: Healthy PV antibody carriers may also exist in high frequency in the first-degree relatives of Chinese PV patients.