title: Severe nonendemic pemphigus foliaceus presenting in the postpartum period.
abstract: The new onset of pemphigus in the postpartum period is exceedingly rare with only 1 case previously reported in the literature. We describe a 31-year-old woman who developed extensive denudation of her skin shortly after delivering her second child. Histologic examination, immunofluorescence testing, and immunoprecipitation with desmoglein 1 confirmed the diagnosis of pemphigus foliaceus. The patient responded to treatment with prednisone, cyclophosphamide, and plasmapheresis. The effect of the postpartum period on the onset and exacerbation of immune-mediated bullous diseases is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000032:analysis; D015820:Cadherins / Q000032:analysis; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051183:Desmoglein 1; D005260:Female; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*