title: Pemphigus vulgaris: a therapeutic option for disease control.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
authors.forename: Andreza Veruska
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Marcela Agne
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Valones
authors.forename: Renata Pedrosa
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Guimaraes
authors.forename: Jurema Freire Lisboa
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: de Castro
authors.forename: Alessandra de A T
authors.initials: Ade A
authors.lastname: Carvalho
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D009067:Mouthwashes; D003907:Dexamethasone; D011241:Prednisone