Pemphigus vulgaris: a therapeutic option for disease control.
Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune intra-epithelial dermatologic disease that is characterized by epithelial blistering and affected cutaneous and/or mucosal surfaces. The disease is caused by circulating immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies directed against desmosomes. These antibodies interfere with keratinocyte adhesion, causing acantholysis, which results in blister formation. At present, death from pemphigus infection is unusual; however, morbidity and mortality from chronic corticosteroid use remain considerable, indicating a need for additional therapies. This article presents a case of PV in a female patient that was treated with conventional corticosteroid therapy and discusses recent adjuvant therapy.
da Silva
Andreza Veruska
AV
Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
Valones
Marcela Agne
MA
Guimaraes
Renata Pedrosa
RP
de Castro
Jurema Freire Lisboa
JF
Carvalho
Alessandra de A T
Ade A
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D009067:Mouthwashes; D003907:Dexamethasone; D011241:Prednisone