Atypical Clinical and Serological Manifestation of Pemphigus Vegetans: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Scalp, Oral, and Nail Pemphigus Vulgaris: Clinical Characteristics and a Review of the Literature

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a rare disease that affects the skin and mucous membranes, causing blistering and erosions. Identifying and effectively managing atypical presentations of pemphigus vulgaris can be challenging due to its rarity. We describe a 32-year-old male patient with a medical history including prediabetes, moderate asthma, hyperlipidemia, coccidioidomycosis, and respiratory infections. He was evaluated via telehealth in the allergy and immunology clinic for uncontrolled asthma. Initially, he complained of a whitish film in the mouth while on treatment with fluticasone and salmeterol. He also noted new vesicular lesions on his scalp and body. When evaluated later in the clinic, he was found to have oral and periungual erosions as well as paronychia. After promptly referring to dermatology, histopathological examination and direct immunofluorescence testing were performed on the patient's lesions, revealing changes consistent with PV. Treatment with prednisone and rituximab resulted in the complete resolution of the patient's bullae and nail deformities over several months. This case highlights the importance of a thorough evaluation of complex medical histories and diagnostic testing in managing asthma and allergy symptoms. It also emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary approach involving specialists such as immunologists, dermatologists, and infectious disease experts in the diagnosis and management of complex cases.

A rare presentation of pemphigus vegetans as an isolated vegetative lesion-Review of histopathological clues and treatment effects in multiple biopsy specimens

BACKGROUND

Pemphigus is a group of immunobullous dermatoses characterized by the presence of autoantibodies directed against adhesion molecules of keratinocytes, with pemphigus vegetans being the rarest form, accounting for 1%-2% of all cases of pemphigus. Pemphigus vegetans is characterized by verrucous vegetative lesions in addition to vesiculobullous lesions.

METHODS

We report a rare case of pemphigus vegetans presenting as an isolated vegetative lesion in the groin 3 months prior to the development of blisters. Owing to the atypical presentation, multiple biopsies were performed before and after corticosteroid treatment.

RESULTS

Comparing the histopathology of pre-treatment and post-treatment biopsy specimens, the resolution of intraepidermal microabscesses, and reduction in intraepidermal and dermal inflammatory infiltrates, spongiosis and interface change, attributable to treatment, were noted. However, direct immunofluorescence showed persistent intracellular intraepidermal deposition of IgG and C3 2 weeks into treatment, despite near-complete resolution of blisters on clinical examination. Clinical regression of the vegetative lesion was noted only after 6 weeks into corticosteroid treatment, while histopathological evidence of treatment was apparent at the second week.

CONCLUSION

The current case illustrates the importance of a liberal use of immunofluorescence studies in establishing the uncommon yet significant diagnosis of pemphigus vegetans, particularly for vegetative lesions that are persistent, in the intertriginous areas and/or in the setting of concurrent cutaneous or mucosal symptoms.

An Unusual Case of Pemphigus Vulgaris

Introduction

Pemphigus is a potential life-threatening skin disorder belonging to the group of the autoimmune bullous diseases affecting the skin and mucosa. The most common subtypes are pemphigus foliaceus (PF) and pemphigus vulgaris.

Case Presentation

We present the case of a young woman with scalp manifestations diagnosed as seborrhiasis who came to our office where a more careful history and clinical examination directed us toward another diagnostic suspicion. The histological examination confirmed our suspicion of pemphigus and therefore we believe it is important to report our experience to avoid misdiagnosis.

Discussion/Conclusion

Our case may be useful in the literature to identify cases of PF with atypical manifestations that may mimic other diseases.

Autoimmune Pemphigus: Latest Advances and Emerging Therapies

Pemphigus represents a group of rare and severe autoimmune intra-epidermal blistering diseases affecting the skin and mucous membranes. These painful and debilitating diseases are driven by the production of autoantibodies that are mainly directed against the desmosomal adhesion proteins, desmoglein 3 (Dsg3) and desmoglein 1 (Dsg1). The search to define underlying triggers for anti-Dsg-antibody production has revealed genetic, environmental, and possible vaccine-driven factors, but our knowledge of the processes underlying disease initiation and pathology remains incomplete. Recent studies point to an important role of T cells in supporting auto-antibody production; yet the involvement of the myeloid compartment remains unexplored. Clinical management of pemphigus is beginning to move away from broad-spectrum immunosuppression and towards B-cell-targeted therapies, which reduce many patients’ symptoms but can have significant side effects. Here, we review the latest developments in our understanding of the predisposing factors/conditions of pemphigus, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms, and new and emerging therapies to treat these devastating diseases.

Current status and prospects for the diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris

Introduction: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an intraepidermal autoimmune bullous disease (AIBD) characterized by autoantibodies against desmosomal adhesion proteins, most commonly desmoglein (Dsg)3, leading to the suprabasal cleft formation and acantholysis.Areas covered: Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) studies display the intercellular deposition of IgG/C3 throughout the epidermis and presence of circulating autoantibodies respectively, as a net-like pattern. However, the target antigen remains unknown using immunofluorescence techniques. Thanks to the development of Dsg ELISA, using recombinant technology, circulating antibodies against Dsg1 and 3 could be detected sensitively. It is possible to differentiate PV from pemphigus foliaceus (PF) using this assay. BIOCHIP mosaic and multivariant ELISA are two novel serologic methods with the added value of the ability to screen several AIBDs simultaneously.Non-Dsg1/3 antigens are also involved in the pathogenesis of PV and investigated more deeply thanks to the protein microarrays technique. Additionally, patients with high values of anti-Dsg1/3 may be lesion-free, suggesting the presence of nonpathogenic autoantibodies.Expert opinion: Newer diagnostic methods to replace traditional techniques should possess high sensitivity and specificity and be widely available, noninvasive, and relatively cheap. The newly developed methods need to be further evaluated before being recommended for routine use.

Intraepithelial autoimmune blistering dermatoses: Clinical features and diagnosis

Intraepithelial autoimmune blistering dermatoses are a rare group of skin disorders characterized by the intraepithelial disruption of intercellular connections through the action of autoantibodies. The first article in this continuing medical education series explores the background, epidemiology, clinical features, and diagnostic criteria of each of the major intraepithelial autoimmune blistering dermatoses, including pemphigus foliaceus, pemphigus erythematosus, pemphigus herpetiformis, fogo selvagem, pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus vegetans, drug-induced pemphigus, IgA pemphigus, IgG/IgA pemphigus, and paraneoplastic pemphigus/paraneoplastic autoimmune multiorgan syndrome.

Immune serological diagnosis of pemphigus

Pemphigus is a rare autoimmune blistering disease which manifests with painful erosions and blisters of the skin and mucosa. This disorder is caused by autoantibodies attacking desmosomal proteins, necessary for cell-cell contact stability and epidermal integrity. Desmoglein (Dsg) 1 and Dsg3 are the two major target antigens in pemphigus. Yet, many other target proteins, which have been described over the years, seem to be involved in the loss of epidermal integrity. Clinical examination, combined to serological advances and detection of targeted antigens, permitted to differentiate among several pemphigus subtypes, in which pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus are the most common. Nowadays, serological analysis in pemphigus is a fundamental step of the diagnostic algorithm. This is based on analysis of clinical symptoms, histopathological examination of lesional skin, detection of tissue bound and circulating antibodies by direct and indirect immunofluorescence, and determination of target antigens either by enzyme-linked immunosorbent essay (ELISA) or by western blot analysis. A correct and exhaustive diagnostic algorithm is fundamental to characterize pemphigus subtypes, which lastly permits to adopt a correct treatment approach. Moreover, quality and quantity of circulating antibodies in patient's sera deliver important information regarding clinical course, disease severity and treatment response; thus, relevantly affecting physician's decision. To facilitate this process, "easy-to-perform" diagnostic kits with high sensitivity and specificity are being commercialized. In this review, we focus on available methods and established assays to correctly detect circulating autoantibodies in pemphigus. Moreover, we discuss subtype specific serological peculiarities in the five most relevant subtypes (pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceus, pemphigus vegetans, paraneoplastic pemphigus and intercellular IgA dermatosis (also called as IgA pemphigus).

Deep pemphigus (pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus vegetans and paraneoplastic pemphigus) in dogs, cats and horses: a comprehensive review

Pemphigus is the term used to describe a group of rare mucocutaneous autoimmune bullous diseases characterized by flaccid blisters and erosions of the mucous membranes and/or skin. When the autoantibodies target desmosomes in the deep layers of the epidermis, deep pemphigus variants such as pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus vegetans and paraneoplastic pemphigus develop. In this article, we will review the signalment, clinical signs, histopathology and treatment outcome of pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus vegetans and paraneoplastic pemphigus in dogs, cats and horses; where pertinent, we compare the animal diseases to their human homologue. Canine, feline and equine pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus vegetans and paraneoplastic pemphigus have many features similar to the human counterpart. These chronic and often relapsing autoimmune dermatoses require aggressive immunosuppressive therapy. In animals, the partial-to-complete remission of pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus vegetans has been achieved with high dose glucocorticoid therapy, with or without adjunct immunosuppressants; the prognosis is grave for paraneoplastic pemphigus.

Peristomal Punctate Pemphigus

ABSTRACT

Cutaneous reactions surrounding abdominal stoma sites are typically irritant, allergic, infectious, traumatic or pathergic in etiology. Pemphigus, which encompasses a group of vesiculobullous autoimmune skin disorders, is seldom encountered as a peristomal dermatosis. Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) studies of pemphigus generally show continuous intercellular net-like depositions of IgG. However, punctate or dot-like intercellular deposition of IgG can also be seen in cases of pemphigus. The punctuate pattern is underreported in the literature and little is known about its implication. We describe a case of a 58-year-old Caucasian man with a history of bowel obstruction, status postcolostomy, who presented with a sharply demarcated, erythematous, crusted plaque surrounding his abdominal stoma. The patient endorsed persistent pruritus. A punch biopsy of the lesion was performed for clinical suspicion of fungal infection versus irritant dermatitis. Histopathology revealed a predominantly subcorneal acantholytic dermatitis. Periodic acid-Schiff with diastase and Grocott methenamine silver histochemical stains were negative for fungi. DIF was positive for IgG and C3 detected in a punctate intercellular pattern. In conjunction with the patient's clinical presentation and DIF, a diagnosis of peristomal pemphigus foliaceous was rendered. Herein, we describe a case of punctate pemphigus presenting as a peristomal dermatosis and include a review of the literature to raise awareness of this phenomenon.

Pemphigus vegetans with isolated involvement of the nose and chest: rare variant of pemphigus vulgaris

Pemphigus vulgaris is chronic bullous disease that manifests as bullae and erosions of skin and mucosas, with intraepidermal suprabasal cleft formation seen in the histological examination. It has a rare variant called pemphigus vegetans, where vesicles and bullae are replaced by pustular, verrucous and hyperpigmented lesions, mainly in skin folds. The treatment is similar to that for classic pemphigus vulgaris. The authors present an exuberant case of pemphigus vegetans, covering the nose and chest exclusively, without oral or flexural lesions.

Bullous autoimmune dermatoses

Pathophysiologically, bullous autoimmune dermatoses are caused by autoantibodies directed against adhesion molecules or structural proteins of the skin and mucous membranes, clinically resulting in blister formation. Depending on the respective target proteins of the autoimmune response and their location in the skin, a distinction is made between intraepidermal (pemphigus disorders), junctional (pemphigoid disorders), and subepidermal (epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, dermatitis herpetiformis) autoimmune blistering diseases. The most common bullous autoimmune dermatosis, bullous pemphigoid is characterized by marked clinical variability and intense pruritus. Predominantly affecting elderly individuals, there has been a significant increase in its incidence in recent years. While mucosal lesions occur in less than 30 % of bullous pemphigoid patients, the second most common bullous autoimmune dermatosis, pemphigus vulgaris, typically presents with oral erosions as the predominant and - frequently - initial symptom. Its onset is usually in the 4^th to 6^th decade of life. Scarring is typically found in subepidermal blistering disorders such as epidermolysis bullosa acquisita or mucous membrane pemphigoid. Diagnosis is based on clinical and histological findings as well as direct and indirect immunofluorescence and detection of circulating autoantibodies. Although a number of controlled clinical trials have been conducted in recent years, treatment of bullous autoimmune disorders is still primarily based on clinical experience. Therapeutic options include topical and systemic corticosteroids as well as adjuvant immunosuppressants. Recalcitrant cases may require treatment with immunoadsorption, intravenous immunoglobulins, or the monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody rituximab.

Serological Diagnosis of Autoimmune Bullous Skin Diseases

Autoimmune bullous dermatoses (AIBD) encompass a variety of organ-specific autoimmune diseases that manifest with cutaneous and/or mucosal blisters and erosions. They are characterized by autoantibodies targeting structural proteins of the skin, which are responsible for the intercellular contact between epidermal keratinocytes and for adhesion of the basal keratinocytes to the dermis. The autoantibodies disrupt the adhesive functions, leading to splitting and blister formation. In pemphigus diseases, blisters form intraepidermally, whereas in all other disease types they occur subepidermally. Early identification of autoimmune bullous dermatoses is crucial for both treatment and prognosis, particularly as regards tumor-associated disease entities. The diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms, histopathology, direct immunofluorescence to detect antibody/complement deposits, and the determination of circulating autoantibodies. The identification of various target antigens has paved the way for the recent development of numerous specific autoantibody tests. In particular, optimized designer antigens and multiplex test formats for indirect immunofluorescence and ELISA have enhanced and refined the laboratory analysis, enabling highly efficient serodiagnosis and follow-up. This review elaborates on the current standards in the serological diagnostics for autoimmune bullous dermatoses.

Verrucous lesions over external genitalia as a presenting feature of pemphigus vegetans

Pemhigus vegetans is a rare variant of pemphigus vulgaris which primarily occurs in the flexures of the body. We report a case of pemphigus vegetans in an 85-year-old female presenting with hypertrophic verrucous lesions over external genitalia and perianal region. There was no history of preceding oral lesions. The diagnosis of pemphigus vegetans was considered on the clinical ground and confirmed by histopathological examination.

Chronic Paronychia and Onychomadesis in Pemphigus Vegetans: An Unusual Presentation in a Rare Autoimmune Disease

Pemphigus vegetans is a rare variant of deep acantholytic pemphigus which usually presents with vesiculobullous rash and vegetative plaques on the folds. We report a case of pemphigus vegetans patient who presented with rashes on tips of fingers and toes resembling paronychia and onychomadesis that misled the diagnosis for months. The final diagnosis of Hallopeau-type pemphigus vegetans was made based on histopathology and direct immunofluorescence studies. Interestingly, not only the clinical presentation was atypical, but blood tests for anti-desmoglein 1 and 3 antibodies by ELISA technique were also negative. Thus, the rare unusual manifestation of pemphigus vegetans in this patient may associate with different autoantibodies to desmosomal proteins compared with those of classic pemphigus patients.