title: Paraneoplastic pemphigus associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) is an autoimmune syndrome associated with neoplasms. The treatment approach principally includes suppressing the immunity, but its therapeutic effect is not satisfying.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case of paraneoplastic pemphigus linked to chronic lymphocytic leukemia in a 63-year-old man.
  
  
  METHODS
  At first, the patient was diagnosed with pityriasis rose caused by a viral infection. Biopsies for histology and immunofluorescence showed PNP, was treated with immunosuppressive and antiinfective therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunosuppressive and antiinfective therapy were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The skin lesions of PNP were alleviated. However, the infections were aggravated and the disease progressed. The patient died of respiratory failure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment for PNP should be adapted to disease severity as early as possible. Antiinfection treatment should be timely and effective because infections are the most common complication that can lead to death.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing University of Medical Sciences, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Qu
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Bin Hong
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010257:Paraneoplastic Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology