title: Oral pemphigus vulgaris after anthrax vaccine administration: association or coincidence?
abstract: Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune blistering disorder of the skin and mucous membranes. Numerous medications, ultraviolet light, and radiation have all been implicated in the etiology of the disease. We present a patient with pemphigus vulgaris whose disease developed after administration of anthrax vaccine. The histologic and immunofluorescence findings were characteristic of pemphigus vulgaris. Adverse systemic events associated with the anthrax vaccine consist primarily of flu-like symptoms. Previous cases of pemphigus vulgaris associated with anthrax vaccine administration have not been reported. Considering the recent deliberate outbreaks of anthrax and continued threats of bioterrorism, the potential exists for widespread administration of the anthrax vaccine. Accordingly, continued observation and documentation of true adverse events is needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Odessa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muellenhoff
authors.forename: Tiffany
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cukrowski
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dorton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D022122:Anthrax Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D022122:Anthrax Vaccines