Pemphigus foliaceous in a dog - clinical and laboratorial assessment

ABSTRACT

Background: The pemphigus complex is defined as a group of blistering autoimmune diseases that affects skin and mucous membrane. Pemphigus foliaceous is the most common disease in this group, being characterized by the productionof autoantibodies against keratinocyte adhesion molecules. The treatment is based on the use of immunosuppressive drugsand requires constant monitoring to assess inflammatory control as well as side effects of therapy. Based on that, the aimof this study was to report the clinical and laboratorial follow-up of a canine with pemphigus foliaceous.Case An 11-year-old male neutered mongrel dog, weighing 9.8 kg, was presented with a main complaint related to disseminated pruritus and lesions in face, trunk and limbs. Dermatological examination revealed meliceric crusts, epidermalcollars and diffuse pustules in inguinal, abdominal, face, limbs, ears and thoraco-lumbar regions. Cytological examinationwas performed, revealing inflammatory and acantholytic cells and absence of bacterial cells. Biopsy procedure revealedsubcorneal pustule with presence of epithelial acantholytic cells and neutrophils, compatible with canine pemphigusfoliaceous. Hemato-biochemical analysis revealed a leukocytosis due to increased neutrophil count. Systemic treatmentwith high dose of prednisolone (2.0 mg/kg) and azathioprine (2.5 mg/kg) was proposed, while topical therapy with a 3%chlorhexidine shampoo was used to prevent secondary bacterial infections. The patient improved the dermatological clinicalsigns, being possible to observe a reduction of systemic and tissue inflammatory process. After 90 days of therapy, therewas a partial loss of hair body coverage, associated with follicular lesions, and after 180 days of therapy it was possibleto notice a new hair mantle, without visible areas of inflammation...