Endemic pemphigus foliaceus among the Xavánte indians, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil

Abstract

A sero-epidemiological survey was carried out by means of indirect immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation tests in order to determine the prevalence of endemic pemphigus foliaceus (EPF) among the Xavánte Indians from Central Brazil. Out of 163 serum samples, 5 (3.1%) tested positive for immunofluorescence. All positive sera were from patients showing clinical signs of the disease. The immunological features of EPF among the Xavánte do not differ from those of non-Indian populations, as was observed a predominance of IgG4 among the antibodies of the Indian subjects.

Pemphigus Foliaceus; Sero-Epidemiology; Immunology; Indians; Central Brazil