Analysis of laboratory parameters in patients with pemphigus vulgaris complicated with infections

[Objective] To analyze the association between laboratory parameters and pemphigus vulgaris (PV) complicated with infections, aiding in assessment of disease progression and prevention of infection. [Methods] Clinical data and laboratory test results were collected from 155 PV inpatients, including white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (NEU), lymphocyte count (LYM), platelet count (PLT), C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen (FIB), albumin (ALB), globulin (GLB), immunoglobulin E (IgE), immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin M (IgM), complement C3, complement C4, anti-Dsg1 antibody, and anti-Dsg3 antibody. The differences in these laboratory parameters were compared between PV patients with and without infections. ROC curves were used to compare the diagnostic values of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR), and fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR), and individual parameters (including NEU, LYM, PLT, CRP, ALB, FIB) in detecting infections in PV patients. [Results] Compared with the non-infected group, the infected group exhibited elevated serum levels of anti-Dsg1 antibody, anti-Dsg3 antibody, CRP, and FIB, as well as increased PLT counts. Additionally, NLR, PLR, CAR, and FAR were significantly higher, whereas LYM and ALB levels were lower in the patients with infections than in those without infections (P<0.05 for all). ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the NLR, PLR, CAR, and FAR had higher AUC values than the individual parameters. [Conclusion] The levels of anti-Dsg1 antibody, anti-Dsg3 antibody, NLR, PLR, CAR, and FAR can help identify the infections in PV patients.