title: Pemphigus vulgaris--a report of three cases.
abstract: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a potentially life-threatening illness that manifests in the mouth and on skin. In a majority of patients it affects the oral mucosa and is sometimes difficult to diagnose when only mucosal involvement is present. In an attempt to highlight the proper treatment plan of this potentially fatal disorder, the authors document a report of three cases. These patients were prescribed conventional steroids which brought about partial relief but early recurrence with discontinuation of the drug. Subsequent management of these patients with azathioprine along with corticosteroids improved the outcome of the disease with longer remission periods. In this case series, the steroid sparing effect of azathioprine was achieved successfully and hence needs to be considered as a primary drug in management of PV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, People's College of Dental Sciences & Research Centre, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Harshkant P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Gharote
authors.forename: Preeti P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: Sowmya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kasetty
authors.forename: Shaji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Abhay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D000963:Antimetabolites / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000963:Antimetabolites; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D001379:Azathioprine; D011241:Prednisone