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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: BACKGROUND, OBJECTIVE, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Autoantibodies, Desmogleins, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Drug Administration Schedule, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Infusions, Intravenous, Microscopy, Fluorescence, Pemphigus, Remission Induction, Rituximab, Time Factors, Treatment Outcome.
user
Does the pathogenic activity of anti-desmoglein autoantibodies parallel disease severity in rituximab-treated patients with pemphigus vulgaris? Context: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune blistering disease mediated by IgG autoantibodies targeting desmogleins (Dsgs). The anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab is increasingly used in corticosteroid-resistant PV patients. In a subset of rituximab-treated patients in remission, high ELISA index values have been reported; however, their significance remains so far unclear. To address the discrepancy between anti-Dsg3 serum antibody titers and disease severity. 6 rituximab-treated PV patients were prospectively followed-up for two years and anti-Dsg3 autoantibodies levels and pathogenic activity were measured. All patients achieved complete remission without any serious side effects. Both anti-Dsg3 autoantibodies (p = 0.031) and their pathogenic activity (p = 0.003) were significantly related to disease severity. However, in selected patients, the dissociation index was a more sensitive indicator for PV clinical activity than the ELISA index.
assistant
Our findings have demonstrated the existence of non-pathogenic autoantibodies in PV patients in remission, establishing the basis for the design of a system able to precisely monitor the course of disease. Final Decision: yes