title: Pemphigus vulgaris and infections: a retrospective study on 155 patients.
abstract: Background. Autoimmune process and immunosuppressive therapy of pemphigus vulgaris would predispose the patients to infections. Aim. We aimed to study the prevalence of infection and pathogenic agents in pemphigus vulgaris patients admitted to dermatology service. Material and methods. This retrospective study was conducted on 155 pemphigus vulgaris patients (68 males, 87 females) admitted to dermatology service between 2009 and 2011. In this study, the diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris was confirmed by light microscopic and direct immunofluorescence findings. Data were collected through a questionnaire. Results. Of 155 pemphigus vulgaris patients, 33 had infection at admission and 9 acquired nosocomial infection. In addition, 37 cases of oral candidiasis and 15 cases of localized herpes simplex were recorded. Totally, 94 cases of infection were recorded. The occurrence of infection was significantly related to the severity of disease, number of hospital admissions, and presence of diabetes mellitus. The most common pathogenic germs isolated from cultures were Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Conclusion. Severity of pemphigus vulgaris and diabetes were directly related with tendency to infections. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were the most common pathogenic agents. Due to limitations of retrospective study, a prospective study is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Autoimmune Bullous Diseases Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1199663911, Iran ; Department of Dermatology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1199663911, Iran.
authors.forename: Nafiseh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Esmaili
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mortazavi
authors.forename: Pedram
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Noormohammadpour
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boreiri
authors.forename: Tahereh
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Soori
authors.forename: Iman
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vasheghani Farahani
authors.forename: Mitra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohit