Autoimmune Bullous Dermatoses (AIBDs) are a group of rare autoimmune diseases characterized by the production of autoantibodies against structural proteins of the skin. Because these diseases are rare, they often are misdiagnosed, leading to delays in accurate treatment.
Beutner Laboratories' own Dr. Raminder Grover, with 25 years of medical expertise, as well as 17 years specializing in the study of skin immunopathology, was pleased to join other experts to present for EUROIMMUN Academy’s webinar on July 29th, 2021, "Clinical and Laboratory Diagnosis of Autoimmune Blistering Skin Disease."
For those not familiar with pemphigus, the condition causes autoantibodies to form against desmogleins. Desmogleins form the "glue" that attaches adjacent epidermal cells via attachment points called desmosomes. When autoantibodies attack desmogleins, the cells become separated from each other, and the epidermis becomes detached. This causes erosions and blisters which may cover a large area of the skin and mucosa. Pemphigoid is a group of subepidermal, blistering autoimmune diseases where autoantibodies (anti-BP180 and anti-BP230) target the basal layer of the epidermis and mucosa.
Originally, the cause of this disease was unknown, and the term "pemphigus" was used to refer to any blistering disease of the skin and mucosa, until it began to be seriously studied in the 1960s by Dr. Ernst Beutner and Dr. Robert Jordon. They demonstrated that pemphigus is an autoimmune blistering disease. This was followed by the demonstration of autoantibodies in other forms of blistering diseases such as bullous pemphigoid, other forms of subepidermal blistering diseases and paraneoplastic pemphigus.
Definitive diagnosis of these diseases requires demonstration of autoantibodies in skin by direct immunofluorescence on a biopsy specimen, as well as demonstration of disease specific autoantibodies in serum (blood). Beutner Laboratories is proud to be a pioneer in the field of skin immunopathology and continues to strive for excellence in diagnostic tests standardized and implemented by Dr. Beutner and his colleagues.
Dr. Raminder Grover is the Laboratory Director for Beutner Laboratories, which is run and operated by KSL Diagnostics. She oversees all laboratory operations including diagnostic testing and quality management systems, consults with physicians, and provides leadership for the delivery of clinically useful laboratory services. With extensive experience as a microbiologist and a virologist in India before moving to the U.S., Dr. Grover received her certification from the American Board of Medical Microbiology (ABMM). Joining Dr. Ernst Beutner to train in skin immunopathology, she soon developed an immense interest in autoimmune bullous diseases and realized the need for quality testing to correctly diagnose these patients. Today an expert in the diagnosis of autoimmune bullous and connective tissue diseases by direct immunofluorescence tests and serology studies, Dr. Grover spent nearly 10 years training and working with Dr. Beutner, who pioneered and established the diagnostic tests for the group of rare, disabling and potentially lethal diseases. Dr. Grover teaches and mentors medical students and residents, has had her research work and case reports published in peer reviewed journals, and frequently conducts presentations at scientific meetings.
A video of the webinar can be viewed here.