[Use of the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technic in cytologic smears in pemphigus vulgaris].

The diagnosis of pemphigus is presently based on the correlation of clinical, histological, and direct and indirect immunofluorescent data. This article has presented the result of a study of cytological smears, taken from cutaneous lesions on five patients previously diagnosed as having pemphigus vulgaris, treated with the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique which demonstrated a constant pattern of acntholitic cells surrounded by IgG. The authors belive that this means of study combines a high level of reliability and specificity with advantage of enabling the use of material that can be stored for a long time without special conditions, does not require biopsy and can supply data of great value for the diagnosis of this condition.