title: [Transition from pemphigus vulgaris to pemphigus foliaceus: a case report].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF) are the two main subtypes of auto-immune pemphigus, each having different clinical, histological and immunopathological features. We report the case of a patient initially with typical PV who relapsed within 2years, presenting clinically, histologically and immunologically typical PF.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 47-year old man presented in March 2008 with clinically, histologically and serologically typical PV and treated with systemic corticosteroids alone (prednisone: 1mg/kg per day) then combined with a cycle of rituximab, which resulted in complete remission. After discontinuation of therapy (duration: 26months), he relapsed 6 months later with PF presenting clinical, histological and serological characteristics typical of this condition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is a rare case of complete transition from PV to PF in clinical, histological and serological terms, and the first case occurring after initial treatment with rituximab.
authors: Service de dermatologie, hôpital Robert-Debré, CHU, 45, rue Cognacq-Jay, 51092 Reims cedex, France. Electronic address: celia.levy@yahoo.fr.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Lévy-Sitbon
authors: Z
authors: Z
authors: Reguiaï
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Durlach
authors: A-L
authors: AL
authors: Goeldel
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Grange
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Bernard
mesh_terms: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D051183:Desmoglein 1 / Q000276:immunology; D051184:Desmoglein 3 / Q000276:immunology; D018450:Disease Progression; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004947:Esophagus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D010641:Phenotype; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D000069283:Rituximab; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology; D014059:Tongue / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; C495297:DSG1 protein, human; C071894:DSG3 protein, human; D051183:Desmoglein 1; D051184:Desmoglein 3; D000069283:Rituximab; D011241:Prednisone
keywords: Desmoglein 1 and 3; Desmogléines 1 et 3; Pemphigus foliaceus; Pemphigus superficiel; Pemphigus vulgaire; Pemphigus vulgaris; Phenotypic switch; Switch phénotypique