A patient with pemphigus vulgaris undergoes salt-split skin test using the patient's serum. The antibodies are found to bind to the:

• A Floor of the split
• B Both roof and floor equally
• C Dermal side only
• D Roof of the split ✓

Explanation

In pemphigus vulgaris, the target antigens (Desmoglein-3 and -1) are located in the epidermis. On salt-split skin (where the split is at the lamina lucida), PV antibodies bind to the epidermal roof. In contrast, BP antibodies bind to the dermal floor (where BP180 NC16A domain and laminin 332 reside). This distinction helps differentiate pemphigus from pemphigoid in indirect immunofluorescence.

Reference: Neena Khanna Illustrated Synopsis of Dermatology & STD, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.