Navigating Treatment Dilemmas: Recalcitrant Pemphigus and the Burden of Multiple Comorbidities.

Pemphigus vulgaris is a chronic autoimmune disease of the skin caused by the production of autoantibodies targeting desmogleins 1 and 3 usually presenting in individuals with an average age of onset of approximately 40 years. A 35-year-old obese, diabetic woman presented with fluid-filled lesions over her body for three months along with erosions and painful ulcers in her mouth and genital area for two months. Based on clinical and histopathological studies, the patient was diagnosed as a case of pemphigus vulgaris. She was started on conventional treatment with oral corticosteroids followed by pulse therapy and mycophenolate mofetil. Rituximab infusion was scheduled but could not be administered due to elevated D-dimer values. The patient underwent screening for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and received subcutaneous enoxaparin and oral rivaroxaban. She developed severe sepsis for which she was treated with systemic antibiotics. She subsequently developed acute renal failure and underwent hemodialysis. The patient's clinical condition further deteriorated, which necessitated therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). Collagen, colloidal silver, and silicone foam dressings were done to hasten wound healing. Two distinct approaches were employed to eliminate the pseudomembrane on the wounds. One portion was treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), while the other was with hyaluronidase. The hyaluronidase treatment resulted in considerable improvement of the lesions. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusion was scheduled. However, the treatment could not be administered as the patient succumbed to death due to pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) secondary to DVT.

Onychoscopic Analysis of Cyclophosphamide-Induced Polydactylic Bluish-Gray Discoloration in a Case of Pemphigus Foliaceus.

Cyclophosphamide, an alkylating agent, has rarely been observed to cause a bluish discoloration of nails, an occurrence that is typically underreported. We describe the case of a middle-aged male undergoing dexamethasone-cyclophosphamide pulse therapy for pemphigus foliaceus, who exhibited bluish-gray discoloration of the nails. It is crucial to differentiate this presentation from other conditions such as nail apparatus melanoma (NAM), which may manifest in a slightly different manner. We also report the onychoscopic findings observed in this case.

Occurrence of Bullous Pemphigoid in a Longstanding Case of Rheumatoid Arthritis in an Indian Patient: A Rare Association.

Bullous pemphigoid is a subepidermal blistering disease that rarely involves the mucous membranes and possesses circulating antibodies against BP antigen II (BP180) and BP antigen I (BP230). Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive inflammatory autoimmune disease that is characterized by joint inflammation and systemic involvement. The co-occurrence of RA, which is likewise linked to autoimmunity, with bullous pemphigoid may not be merely coincidental. A 55-year-old female, a known case of RA for 25 years, presented to us with multiple pruritic vesiculobullous lesions. After a thorough clinical and laboratory assessment, she was diagnosed with bullous pemphigoid. This emphasizes the significance of the simultaneous occurrence of autoimmune disorders and the need for vigilant and timely identification.

Pyoderma Gangrenosum: A Presenting Feature of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an uncommon inflammatory disorder that exhibits a range of clinical manifestations and levels of severity. It frequently occurs alongside an underlying condition, most often inflammatory bowel disease. PG, Sweet syndrome, palisaded neutrophilic granulomatous dermatitis (PNGD), interstitial granulomatous dermatitis (IGD) and rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatitis may be associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We present a case of a 65-year-old woman with disseminated dermatosis to the hands, abdomen, buttocks, and lower limbs. The dermatosis presented with numerous ulcers of varying shapes, featuring clean bases, undermined edges, and a purplish erythematous appearance. Further investigations, including imaging studies and RA factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) levels, led us to the diagnosis of RA. This case indicates that RA may be frequently undiagnosed and untreated in other patients with PG, as ulcers on the lower extremities can often be the main reason for seeking medical attention.