Antibodies to bullous pemphigoid (BP) BP180 and BP230 have been shown to be present in most patients with pemphigoid. Adequate sensitivities and specificity for disease are documented and Mayo’s experience demonstrates a very good correlation between BP180 and BP230 results and the presence of pemphigoid (see Supportive Data). However, in those patients strongly suspected to have pemphigoid, either by clinical findings or by routine biopsy, and in whom the BP180/BP230 assay is negative, follow-up testing by CIFS / Cutaneous Immunofluorescence Antibodies (IgG), Serum is recommended.
Antibody titer correlates with disease activity in many patients. Patients with severe disease can usually be expected to have high titers of antibodies to BP. Titers are expected to decrease with clinical improvement.