الفهرس 
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Abstract
Autoimmune bullous diseases are rare, distressing and sometimes risky bullous dermatoses affecting the skin and/or mucous membranes. They are characterized by the presence of autoantibodies against specific adhesion antigens of the epidermis or the dermoepidermal junction zone. Binding of these antibodies to their target antigens causes loss of adhesion between epidermal keratinocytes or at the basement membrane zone, which results in blister formation.
The AIBD are being divided in two categories; the first category is referred to as intraepidermal bullous diseases (pemphigus family), the most common of which is pemphigus vulgaris (PV). The second category is referred to as subepidermal bullous diseases, with bullous pemphigoid (BP) being the most common subtype.
Diagnosis of pemphigus (P), bullous pemphigoid (BP) and other autoimmune bullous dermatoses (AIBD) can be suggested clinically. It relies greatly on direct immunofluorescence (DIF) examination performed on frozen tissue sections. However, frozen material is not always available for DIF; therefore, alternative techniques are needed in the diagnostic procedure. Since the immunohistochemical technique is easier and more accessible, it is probable that this technique can replace other difficult, costly, and time-consuming procedure.