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Intercellular Substance Antibody Blood Test for Pemphigus

Published: August 9, 2026Updated: August 16, 2026

This blood test looks for intercellular substance antibodies, markers of pemphigus and other autoimmune blistering skin diseases, helping your doctor find the cause of blisters and sores on your skin or mucous membranes.

Quick summary

{检测血清中针对皮肤细胞间桥粒的自身抗体,主要用于诊断落叶型天疱疮和寻常型天疱疮,采用免疫荧光技术检测抗体存在与否,结果阳性提示可能患有天疱疮,需结合临床症状和其他检查综合判断}

Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial TeamLast reviewed August 16, 2026Editorial policy

Key facts at a glance

LOINC
54154-0
Short code
ANA intercell bridge Ser Ql IF
Synonyms
ANA intercell bridge Ser Ql IF
Category
chemistry
Sample
serum
Container
Red-top tube (SST)
Units
N/A
Fasting
false
Population
adult
Sex
all
Age range
18–65 years
Method
if
CPT
86038
Specimen volume
5 mL
Stability
Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
Hemolysis max
500
Lipemia max
1000
Icterus max
500
TAT
4–24 hours
Order
routine

What is the intercellular substance antibody test?

The intercellular substance antibody test is a blood test that looks for autoantibodies in your serum. Using a laboratory technique called indirect immunofluorescence, it detects antibodies that target desmosomes, the structures that hold skin cells together. The presence of these antibodies is an important marker of pemphigus.

Why might my doctor order this test?

Your doctor may order this test to help diagnose pemphigus, a rare group of autoimmune diseases in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the connections between skin and mucous membrane cells, causing blisters and erosions. The test can help identify the type of pemphigus you may have and guide your doctor in planning the most appropriate treatment for you.

How is this test performed?

This test requires only a blood sample. A healthcare professional will draw a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm and send it to the laboratory. There, a technician will mix your serum with a specific substrate, usually animal skin tissue, and add a fluorescent-tagged antibody reagent. The sample is then examined under a fluorescence microscope to see whether a specific binding reaction occurs.

What do my test results mean?

Results are usually reported as positive or negative. A positive result means intercellular substance antibodies were found in your blood, which suggests pemphigus, most often the pemphigus foliaceus type. A negative result means these antibodies were not detected, but it does not completely rule out pemphigus, because antibody levels may be low in some patients or in other forms of the disease. Your doctor will interpret your result together with your symptoms, physical examination, and other laboratory tests to reach a final diagnosis.

Clinical interpretation

How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.

桥粒间质核抗体是天疱疮的特异性标志物，对天疱疮的诊断具有重要价值。阳性结果主要见于落叶型天疱疮，亦可见于其他类型天疱疮如寻常型天疱疮、增殖型天疱疮等。该检测有助于鉴别诊断其他具有相似症状的皮肤病，如大疱性类天疱疮、疱疹样皮炎等。此外，抗体滴度水平可能与疾病活动度相关，可用于监测治疗效果和疾病复发。

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to fast before this blood test?
Fasting is usually not required for this test. However, if you are having other blood tests at the same time that do require fasting, please follow the instructions your doctor gives you.
Does a positive result mean I definitely have pemphigus?
Not necessarily. Although intercellular substance antibodies are a specific marker for pemphigus, your doctor will confirm the diagnosis by considering your symptoms, such as skin blisters and erosions, your physical examination, and other laboratory findings. In some cases, other conditions can also cause a positive result.
Can a negative result rule out pemphigus?
No, a negative result cannot completely rule out pemphigus. Some patients, especially in the early stages of the disease or when antibody levels are low, may have a negative result. In addition, certain types of pemphigus may require testing for other specific antibodies. If you have relevant symptoms, ask your doctor whether further testing is needed.
Can this test alone confirm a diagnosis?
No. This test is an important tool in diagnosing pemphigus, but it must be combined with your clinical symptoms, a skin biopsy, and other immunological tests, such as anti-desmoglein antibody testing. A dermatologist will review all of these findings together before making a final diagnosis.
  1. 1
    Mayo Clinic Laboratories - Pemphigus Antibody TestingSource
  2. 2
    American Academy of Dermatology - PemphigusSource
  3. 3
    National Institutes of Health - PemphigusSource

Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.

Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy