The management of pemphigus vulgaris and mucous membrane pemphigoid in a joint oral medicine and dermatology clinic: a five-year narrative review.

Pemphigus disease and mucous membrane pemphigoid are autoimmune blistering diseases (AIBDs) which may involve both oral and extra-oral tissues. The Bristol Joint Oral Medicine and Dermatology Combined Clinic was set up in 2014, with the primary aim of improving the standard of care for patients with AIBDs. This interdisciplinary approach aimed to address the medical management challenges due to the multisite nature of these AIBDs.We present a narrative report of the clinical work undertaken within this clinic, focused on the management of this patient cohort within a five-year span (2017-2022). This report outlines the multisite nature of AIBDs and the range of topical and systemic treatments that were employed to achieve adequate disease control and optimise outcomes for patients. We reflect on the experiential benefits of this multidisciplinary clinic extended beyond immediate patient benefits to areas such as specialist training, both from a dermatologist's and oral physician's perspective.

Association of gut microbiome and metabolites with onset and treatment response of patients with pemphigus vulgaris.

Background: Gut dysbiosis and gut microbiome-derived metabolites have been implicated in both disease onset and treatment response, but this has been rarely demonstrated in pemphigus vulgaris (PV). Here, we aim to systematically characterize the gut microbiome to assess the specific microbial species and metabolites associated with PV. Methods: We enrolled 60 PV patients and 19 matched healthy family members, and collected 100 fecal samples (60 treatment-naïve, 21 matched post-treatment, and 19 controls). Metagenomic shotgun sequencing and subsequent quality control/alignment/annotation were performed to assess the composition and microbial species, in order to establish the association between gut microbiome with PV onset and treatment response. In addition, we evaluated short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in PV patients through targeted metabolomics analysis. Results: The diversity of the gut microbiome in PV patients deviates from the healthy family members but not between responder and non-responder, or before and after glucocorticoid treatment. However, the relative abundance of several microbial species, including the pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Escherichia coli) and some SCFA-producing probiotics (e.g., Eubacterium ventriosum), consistently differed between the two groups in each comparison. Escherichia coli was enriched in PV patients and significantly decreased after treatment in responders. In contrast, Eubacterium ventriosum was enriched in healthy family members and significantly increased particularly in responders after treatment. Consistently, several gut microbiome-derived SCFAs were enriched in healthy family members and significantly increased after treatment (e.g., butyric acid and valeric acid). Conclusions: This study supports the association between the gut microbiome and PV onset, possibly through disrupting the balance of gut pathogenic bacteria and probiotics and influencing the level of gut microbiome-derived SCFAs. Furthermore, we revealed the potential relationship between specific microbial species and glucocorticoid treatment.

Failure of double filtration plasmapheresis to treat severe pemphigus vulgaris: A case report.

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a chronic, mucocutaneous, autoimmune bullous disease. Double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) may be effective when PV fails to be controlled by conventional corticosteroid treatment. The patient was a 64-year-old man with erythema, blisters, and erosions on his head, face, mouth, trunk, limbs, and scrotum for over a month. He was diagnosed with severe PV, and the original rash area continued to expand after treatment with systemic corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and intravenous immunoglobulin, with massive exudate and ≥5 new blisters and macules still occurring daily. Subsequently, the patient completed three sessions of DFPP. After the first DFPP, the original erosion surface exudate was significantly reduced and gradually healed. After the second DFPP, the erosion area and exudate increased compared with the previous one. After the third DFPP, the rash did not improve further and had a tendency to continue to progress. During the entire three sessions of DFPP, the patient had new blisters and bullae on his limbs every day. The Nikolsky's sign of the limbs turned negative at the initial stage, and then the trunk and limbs Nikolsky's sign became positive again. The titer of autoantibodies did not decrease significantly after the plasmapheresis. The patient eventually died of secondary lung infection and septic shock. The efficacy of DFPP in this patient with refractory severe PV was poor.

Taiwanese dermatological association (TDA) consensus for the management of pemphigus.

Pemphigus is an uncommon but life-threatening autoimmune blistering disease characterized by the presence of antibodies against desmogleins. Without effective treatment, pemphigus can result in significant morbidity and mortality. Existing consensus statements on pemphigus management from international medical groups provide varying guidelines, especially on treatment. Thus, on January 4, 2020, a panel of seven dermatology experts from the Taiwanese Dermatological Association (TDA) and one rheumatology expert convened to develop a consensus for the management of pemphigus. These experts with extensive experience in pemphigus management were recommended by their respective teaching hospitals and primary care clinics in Taiwan and by the TDA. The meeting reviewed the available consensus statements from international dermatology groups, including the European Dermatology Forum (EDF), the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV), and the International Bullous Diseases Consensus Group. Using these guidelines as a basis for discussion and consensus formulation, these experts formulated their consensus statement that provides practical, concise but comprehensive recommendations as to the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of pemphigus patients in Taiwan. This consensus serves as a clinical reference for physicians for the management of pemphigus in Taiwan or wherever it may be applicable.

Diagnostic delay in autoimmune oral diseases.

Autoimmune diseases (ADs) affect about 5% of the general population, causing various systemic and/or topical clinical manifestations. The oral mucosa is often affected, sometimes as the only involved site. The misdiagnosis of oral ADs is an underreported issue. This narrative review focuses on diagnostic delay (DD) in oral ADs (oral lichen planus [OLP], oral Pemphigus Vulgaris, mucous membrane pemphigoid, oral lupus erythematosus, orofacial granulomatosis, oral erythema multiforme [EM], and Sjogren syndrome). Extensive literature research was conducted via MEDLINE, Embase and Google Scholar databases for articles reporting the time spent to achieve the correct diagnosis of oral ADs. Only 16 studies reported DD in oral ADs. Oral autoimmune vesiculobullous diseases are usually diagnosed after 8 months from the initial signs/symptoms, the Sjogren Syndrome diagnosis usually requires about 73 months. No data exist about the DD in OLP, oral lupus erythematosus, orofacial granulomatosis, and oral EM. The diagnosis of oral ADs can be difficult due to the non-specificity of their manifestations and the unawareness of dentists, physicians, and dental and medical specialists about these diseases. This can lead to a professional DD and a consequential treatment delay. The delay can be attributed to the physicians or/and the healthcare system (Professional Delay) or the patient (Patient's Delay).

Chronic exposure to the anti-M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor autoantibody in pemphigus vulgaris contributes to disease pathophysiology.

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a potentially lethal autoimmune mucocutaneous blistering disease characterized by binding of IgG autoantibodies (AuAbs) to keratinocytes (KCs). In addition to AuAbs against adhesion molecules desmogleins 1 and 3, PV patients also produce an AuAb against the M3 muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor (M3AR) that plays an important role in regulation of vital functions of KCs upon binding endogenous ACh. This anti-M3AR AuAb is pathogenic because its adsorption eliminates the acantholytic activity of PV IgG; however, the molecular mechanism of its action is unclear. In the present study, we sought to elucidate the mode of immunopharmacologic action of the anti-M3AR AuAb in PV. Short-term exposures of cultured KCs to PV IgG or the muscarinic agonist muscarine both induced changes in the expression of keratins 5 and 10, consistent with the inhibition of proliferation and upregulated differentiation and in keeping with the biological function of M3AR. In contrast, long-term incubations induced a keratin expression pattern consistent with upregulated proliferation and decreased differentiation, in keeping with the hyperproliferative state of KCs in PV. This change could result from desensitization of the M3AR, representing the net antagonist-like effect of the AuAb. Therefore, chronic exposure of KCs to the anti-M3AR AuAb interrupts the physiological regulation of KCs by endogenous ACh, contributing to the onset of acantholysis. Since cholinergic agents have already demonstrated antiacantholytic activity in a mouse model of PV and in PV patients, our results have translational significance and can guide future development of therapies for PV patients employing cholinergic drugs.

Pénfigo vulgar mucoso: a propósito de un caso. Revisión de la literatura / Mucous pemphigus vulgaris: a case report

Introducción: El Pénfigo Vulgar (PV) es una enfermedad de origen autoinmune caracterizada por causar ampollas intraepidérmicas en piel y mucosas, como consecuencia de la agresión de autoanticuerpos hacia varios tipos de proteínas desmosómicas. El elemento eruptivo primordial es la ampolla, que puede presentarse de manera individual o en coalescencia con la consecuente formación de placas erosivo-costrosas. En el 90% de los casos las lesiones afectan a la mucosa oral, mientras que en el 50-70% de los mismos constituyen la primera manifestación de la enfermedad. Objetivo: Se presenta un caso clínico de PV y una revisión bibliográfica actualizada, con el objetivo de analizar sus factores etiológicos y sus opciones terapéuticas. Caso clínico: Se presenta el caso de un paciente varón, de 71 años, fumador, con condición prediabética y síndrome de Guillain Barré remitido al Servicio de Cirugía Bucal e Implantología del Hospital Virgen de la Paloma de Madrid con un cuadro clínico caracterizado por infección oral y pérdida de peso. Una vez confirmado el diagnóstico de PV mucoso mediante examen histopatológico, se estableció una terapia con corticoides sistémicos obteniendo una remisión casi completa de las lesiones. Tras varias semanas de tratamiento su dermatólogo decidió suspender los corticoides para llevar a cabo, sin éxito, una terapia sustitutiva con inmunosupresores. La recidiva de las lesiones, unida a los efectos adversos causados por la nueva terapia, obligó a reconsiderar la suministración de corticoides con una resolución positiva de la enfermedad. (AU)

Introduction: Pemphigus Vulgaris is an autoimmune disease characterized by causing intraepidermal blisters on the skin and mucosa, as a consequence of the aggression of autoantibodies towards various types of desmosomal proteins. The primary eruptive element is the blister, which can appear in coalescence with the consequent formation of erosive-crusted plaques. In 90% of cases lesions affect the oral mucosa, while in 50-70% they are the first manifestation of the disease. Objective: We aim to report a case of Pemphigus Vulgaris and an updated literature review to analyse its etiological factors and treatment options. Clinical case: We present the case of a 71-year-old male patient, smoker, with prediabetic condition and sindrome Guillain Barré referred to the Oral Surgery and Implantology Service of the Virgen de la Paloma Hospital in Madrid with a clinical picture characterized by oral infection. Once the diagnosis of mucosal PV was confirmed, a systemic corticosteroid therapy was established, obtaining almost complete remission of the lesions. After several weeks of treatment, his dermatologist decided to suspend the corticosteroids to carry out unsuccessful immunosuppressant replacement therapy. The recurrence of the lesions, together with the adverse effects caused by the new therapy, forced the reconsideration of the supply of corticosteroids with a positive resolution of the disease. (AU)

Rituximab exhibits a better safety profile when used as a first line of treatment for pemphigus vulgaris: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Pemphigus is an autoimmune disease that is challenging to treat and has few available therapeutic options. Recently, several studies have demonstrated that rituximab may be an efficacious first-line treatment in newest guidelines. AIM: To compare the side effect profiles of rituximab administered after a course of immunosuppressant agents versus as a first-line therapy and evaluate the impact of patient characteristics and disease severity indices on occurrence of adverse effects. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 999 patients with pemphigus vulgaris who received rituximab either as a first-line treatment or after conventional adjuvant therapies. The occurrence of partial or complete remission as well as the incidence of drug-related adverse effects were evaluated and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Smoking, pulmonary comorbidity, and mucocutaneous phenotype were associated with an increased risk of developing infectious complications by 12.49, 5.79, and 2.37 fold, respectively. These associations were more prominent among those who received rituximab after immunosuppressant agents. CONCLUSIONS: Early use of rituximab benefits pemphigus patients, especially those with a mucocutaneous phenotype, pulmonary comorbidity, or history of smoking, and reduces their risk of infectious adverse events.

[Stigmas, studies, and strife: a history of Brazilian pemphigus, nineteenth and twentieth centuries]. / Estigmas, pesquisas e embates: uma história do pênfigo brasileiro, séculos XIX e XX.

This paper presents a historical narrative about the incidence of pemphigus foliaceus in Brazil in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This autoimmune blistering skin disease is more common in children, adolescents, and young adults who live in rural areas of endemic regions. It was first described in Brazil in 1903 by the physician Caramuru Paes Leme. The main foci of the disease are in the Federal District and the states of Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Paraná, and São Paulo. This research topic, which has attracted widespread attention from medical practice, especially dermatology, has not received similar attention from historians of health and disease.

O artigo apresenta uma narrativa histórica sobre a incidência do pênfigo foliáceo no Brasil ao longo dos séculos XIX e XX. Doença bolhosa autoimune da pele que acomete com mais frequência crianças, adolescentes e adultos jovens que vivem nas áreas rurais de regiões endêmicas. Foi descrita pela primeira vez no país em 1903, pelo médico Caramuru Paes Leme. Os principais focos se situam no Distrito Federal e nos estados de Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Paraná e São Paulo. Temática de pesquisa amplamente visitada pela ciência médica, em especial a dermatologia, não tem merecido a atenção peculiar por parte dos historiadores da saúde e da doença.

Estigmas, pesquisas e embates: uma história do pênfigo brasileiro, séculos XIX e XX / Stigmas, studies, and strife: a history of Brazilian pemphigus, nineteenth and twentieth centuries

Resumo O artigo apresenta uma narrativa histórica sobre a incidência do pênfigo foliáceo no Brasil ao longo dos séculos XIX e XX. Doença bolhosa autoimune da pele que acomete com mais frequência crianças, adolescentes e adultos jovens que vivem nas áreas rurais de regiões endêmicas. Foi descrita pela primeira vez no país em 1903, pelo médico Caramuru Paes Leme. Os principais focos se situam no Distrito Federal e nos estados de Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Paraná e São Paulo. Temática de pesquisa amplamente visitada pela ciência médica, em especial a dermatologia, não tem merecido a atenção peculiar por parte dos historiadores da saúde e da doença.

Abstract This paper presents a historical narrative about the incidence of pemphigus foliaceus in Brazil in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This autoimmune blistering skin disease is more common in children, adolescents, and young adults who live in rural areas of endemic regions. It was first described in Brazil in 1903 by the physician Caramuru Paes Leme. The main foci of the disease are in the Federal District and the states of Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Paraná, and São Paulo. This research topic, which has attracted widespread attention from medical practice, especially dermatology, has not received similar attention from historians of health and disease.

A preliminary clinical trial comparing wet silver dressings versus wet-to-dry povidone-iodine dressings for wound healing in pemphigus vulgaris patients.

There is insufficient evidence concerning the efficacy of wet silver-containing dressings for wound healing in pemphigus vulgaris (PV). In this randomized, controlled clinical trial, 58 patients with PV skin erosions (10%-70% body surface area) were assigned to receive either wet silver-containing dressings (n = 28) or wet to dry povidone-iodine dressings as a control (n = 30). The patients in the treatment group demonstrated a significant improvement in the number of dressing changes, wound healing time, and duration of hospital stay compared with the control group. Patients treated with wet silver dressings had significantly lower NRS pain scores and reported better subjective satisfaction compared with the control group. The only adverse reactions were an occasional abnormal discharge or infection, but there was no difference between the two groups. In our study the wet silver-containing dressings were safe and effective for the treatment of wound healing in PV patients.

Disease burden of patients with pemphigus from a societal perspective.

Introduction: Cost-of-illness studies are widely used for healthcare decision-making; however, no such study is available in pemphigus from the societal perspective. The purpose of this analysis was to estimate annual cost-of-illness per patient with pemphigus from a societal perspective. Areas covered: Between 2014 and 2017, a multicenter, cross-sectional study was carried out. Consecutive pemphigus patients aged ≥18 years were recruited at all four university dermatology departments in Hungary. Direct and indirect costs were calculated, including costs for treatments, outpatient visits, hospital admissions, informal care, travel costs and productivity loss. Generalized linear model was used to analyze predictors of costs. Atotal of 109 patients with pemphigus enrolled with amean age of 57.1 (SD 14.8) years. Total cost per pemphigus patient was €3,995 (SD €7,526) peryear, with productivity loss (58%) and informal care (19%) accounting for the majority. Annual means of 189 and 41 working hours were lost due to absence from work and reduced productivity, respectively. Younger age and pemphigus vulgaris were associated with higher costs (p < 0.05). Expert opinion: This is the first cost-of-illness study applying the societal perspective in pemphigus. Our results indicate a substantial economic burden on society, mainly driven by productivity loss and informal care.

Double-filtration plasmapheresis combined with immunosuppressive treatment for severe pemphigus: 10 years' experience of a single center in China.

BACKGROUND: Pemphigus is a group of rare and severe autoimmune blistering disease mediated by pathogenic autoantibodies against desmogleins. Plasmapheresis can directly remove autoantibodies from circulation, which has been applied to the treatment of pemphigus as an adjuvant therapy. But the results of the researches are controversial. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) combined with immunosuppressive treatment for patients with severe pemphigus in our single center. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 17 patients with severe pemphigus who were unresponsive to high-dose corticosteroid and received DFPP treatment between January 2010 and January 2020. The information on demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory data, treatment regimens, and clinical outcomes were collected. RESULTS: All the patients were diagnosed as severe pemphigus and had a period of at least 1 week of high-dose prednisone (1-1.5 mg/kg/day), but they were unresponsive to corticosteroid and immunosuppressants treatment. They received DFPP treatment as an adjuvant therapy. After DFPP treatment, the titers of desmogleins antibodies significantly decreased (P < .001), Nikolsky's sign became negative and no new blisters appeared. The dosage of corticosteroid could begin to taper down rapidly in 9 ± 4 days. On discharge, the dosage of prednisone decreased significantly (51 ± 3 mg/day, P < .001). No major adverse events happened that could lead to the termination of DFPP treatment. CONCLUSION: Double filtration plasmapheresis combined with immunosuppressive treatment is an effective and safe therapeutic regimen for severe pemphigus. DFPP can also contribute to the dosage reduction of steroid to avoid more drug-related side effect.

Multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment of recurrent follicular dendritic cell sarcoma in abdomen: A case report.

RATIONALE: Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) is a rare malignant tumor derived from follicular dendritic cells, and is often associated with Castleman disease. Here we present a rare case of paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) with FDCS which required multidisciplinary approach for the diagnosis and treatment. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 28-year-old Chinese female had FDCS recurrence, and primary clinical manifestation was PNP. DIAGNOSES: PNP with FDCS. INTERVENTIONS: The patient received gamma globulin infusion, took anlotinib, and underwent plasma exchange therapy. OUTCOMES: The skin lesions recovered and there was no evidence of tumor recurrence. LESSONS: The diagnosis and management of PNP with FDCS require close cooperation among surgeons, dermatologists, hematologists, otolaryngologists, oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and respiratory doctors. The interesting clinical manifestations of this patient provide a multifaceted approach to the investigation of the interactions among FDCS, Castleman disease, and PNP.

Gaze vaselinada para prevenção de lesões por pressão em pessoas com dermatoses imunobolhosas / Vaseline gauze for prevention of pressure injuries in people with immunobullous dermatoses / Gasa con vaselina para la prevención de lesiones por presión en personas con dermatosis inmunobulosa

Objetivo: avaliar a mobilidade do cliente com dermatose imunobolhosa antes e após aplicação do curativo com gaze vaselinada. Método: estudo quase experimental, interinstitucional, com clientes com dermatoses imunobolhosas hospitalizados em um hospital estadual e um hospital federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro e uma instituição do Mato Grosso do Sul. Utilizou-se a lógica fuzzy para classificar a mobilidade dos sujeitos antes, 24 horas após e uma semana após aplicação do curativo. A pesquisa foi aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa. Resultados: Incluídos 14 participantes, sendo nove com pênfigo vulgar, dois com pênfigo foliáceo e três com penfigóide bolhoso, entre 27 e 82 anos, predominando 11 mulheres. Após 24 horas, nenhum participante se considerou com baixa mobilidade, sete passaram a mobilidade média, e sete, alta, o que foi mantido uma semana após aplicação do curativo. Conclusão: constatou-se significativo aumento da mobilidade logo nas primeiras 24 horas após aplicação do curativo.

Objective: to assess the mobility of clients with immunobullous dermatoses, before and after applying vaseline gauze dressings. Method: in this quasi-experimental, interinstitutional study of inpatients with immunobullous dermatoses at a state hospital and a federal hospital in Rio de Janeiro State and an institution in Mato Grosso do Sul (Brazil), patient mobility before, 24 hours after, and one week after applying the dressing was classified using fuzzy logic. The study was approved by the research ethics committee. Results: 14 participants, nine with pemphigus vulgaris, two with pemphigus foliaceus, and three with bullous pemphigoid, aged between 27 and 82 years old, and predominantly (11) women. After 24 hours, none of the participants considered their mobility to be poor, seven began to be moderately mobile, and seven were highly mobile, and continued so one week after applying the dressing. Conclusion: mobility increased significant in the first 24 hours after applying the dressing.

Objetivo: evaluar la movilidad de clientes con dermatosis inmunobullosa, antes y después de la aplicación de apósitos de gasa con vaselina. Método: en este estudio cuasi-experimental, interinstitucional de pacientes hospitalizados con dermatosis inmunobullosa en un hospital estatal y un hospital federal en el estado de Río de Janeiro y una institución en Mato Grosso do Sul (Brazil), la movilidad del paciente antes, 24 horas después y una semana después la aplicación del apósito se clasificó mediante lógica difusa. El estudio fue aprobado por el comité de ética en investigación. Resultados: se incluyeron 14 participantes, nueve con pénfigo vulgar, dos con pénfigo foliáceo y tres con penfigoide ampolloso, con edades comprendidas entre 27 y 82 años, y predominantemente mujeres (n=11). Después de 24 horas, ninguno de los participantes consideró que su movilidad fuera pobre, siete comenzaron a ser moderadamente móviles y siete eran altamente móviles, y así continuaron una semana después de la aplicación del apósito. Conclusión: la movilidad aumentó significativamente en las primeras 24 horas después de la aplicación del apósitoconsideraba con baja movilidad, siete comenzaron a tener movilidad media y siete, alta, que se mantuvo una semana después de aplicar el apósito. Conclusión: hubo un aumento significativo en la movilidad en las primeras 24 horas después de aplicar el apósito.