Skin Immunofluorescence

This course will provide an overview of all aspects of diagnostic testing for autoimmune bullous diseases (AIBDs), a group of disorders of the skin and mucous membranes. The pathological basis of these diseases, through the targeting of epithelial structural components by autoreactive antibodies will be discussed, in addition to the current classification of these disorders and the principles of the lab techniques used to diagnose and monitor these diseases. There will be extensive discussion of practical considerations for optimising direct immunofluorescence (DIF) techniques, including sample preparation, cryotomy and microscopy of specimens.