title: Ultraviolet-induced acantholysis in pemphigus.
abstract: Ultraviolet irradiation produced an acantholytic phenomenon in normal skin of seven patients with pemphigus foliaceus. In six of the seven patients, this reaction was manifested by a positive Nikolsky sign and was confirmed by biopsy in four. Friction alone, infrared irradiation, occlusive dressing, and a rubefacient failed to produce a similar reaction. The thermal burn in the skin of patients having pemphigus was of subepidermal type. Ultraviolet-induced acantholysis was inhibited by chloroquine phosphate, taken orally, in the two patients tested. Prednisone had no such effect. It is concluded that ultraviolet light is a major aggravating stimulus for pemphigus foliaceus.
authors.affiliation: Section of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minn., USA.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Cram
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Winkelmann
mesh_terms: D000051:Acantholysis / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000150:complications*; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*