More than just testing, Beutner Laboratories is continually at the forefront of groundbreaking scientific studies, typically focused on improving early detection of autoimmune diseases.
Recently, the results of research carried out by Beutner Laboratories' own Dr. Raminder Grover, Dr. Lakshmanan Suresh, Tricia Farrell, MT and Nancy Angierski, MT were presented to the scientific community.
Entitled "Utility of Envoplakin ELISA in Diagnosis of Paraneoplastic Pemphigus", the research focuses on early detection of paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP), an autoimmune disorder that is almost always linked to an underlying bone marrow disorder. In addition to being incredibly painful for sufferers, PNP can lead to dangerous or life-threatening skin infections, so early detection and treatment is key to improving quality of life and even saving lives.
Viewed microscopically, diagnostic samples of those with PNP exhibit distinctive autoantibodies against plakin proteins, and the disease can be diagnosed by identification of antiplakin antibodies. This means that the body is creating specific antibodies against certain of its own cells or proteins. Previously, diagnosis was done by indirect immunofluorescence of patient blood samples, a simple but not very sensitive test. Utilizing ELISA, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, antibodies to PNP specific protein, envoplakin can be clearly detected in the blood of patients with this disease. Since this envoplakin ELISA is technically easier to perform than other tests and shows a higher percentage of reliability, it appears to be a useful diagnostic tool to confirm a diagnosis of PNP in many patients.
Beutner Laboratories' stellar team of scientists will continue to research this exciting breakthrough which will hopefully improve the lives of those who struggle with PNP and other debilitating autoimmune skin diseases.
This study continues the work in a previously published paper, "Evaluation of a Newly Available ELISA for Envoplakin Autoantibodies for the Diagnosis of Paraneoplastic Pemphigus," which Dr. Grover co-authered with Beutner Laboratories' Past Assistant Director, Dr. Richard Plunkett, Powell JG, Seiffert-Sinha K, and Sinha AA.