An erythrodermic variant of pemphigus foliaceus with puzzling histologic and immunopathologic features.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pemphigus foliaceus is an autoimmune blistering disorder that affects the skin owing to autoantibodies against desmoglein 1. METHODS: We employed clinical, histologic, immunopathologic, and serum laboratory studies to investigate a case of an erythrodermic variant of pemphigus foliaceus in an elderly man following treatment with bisoprolol-hydrochlorothiazide. RESULTS: Early histopathology revealed psoriasiform dermatitis, but later biopsies showed subcorneal and granular layer separation with neutrophilic infiltrate. Direct immunofluorescence showed intercellular deposits of immunoglobulin G throughout the epidermis, granular staining of C3 along the basement membrane zone, and fibrin and C3 deposition around the blood vessels. Indirect immunofluorescence on monkey esophagus showed a titer of greater than 11,280. Indirect immunofluorescence on rat bladder, antinuclear antibody, lupus panel, and kidney function panel were all negative. CONCLUSION: There are no reports in the literature of pemphigus foliaceus being induced by bisoprolol, but reports exist of propanolol resulting in drug-induced pemphigus foliaceus.