1. Childhood Pemphigus Vulgaris during COVID-19 Outbreak Successfully Treated with Prednisone and Azathioprine: A Case Report and Literature Review
- Author
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Vezzoli, P, Parietti, M, Carugno, A, Di Mercurio, M, Benaglia, C, Zussino, M, Cavalli, R, Sena, P, Berti, E, Pamela Vezzoli, Michele Parietti, Andrea Carugno, Marco Di Mercurio, Chiara Benaglia, Martina Zussino, Riccardo Cavalli, Paolo Sena, Emilio Berti, Vezzoli, P, Parietti, M, Carugno, A, Di Mercurio, M, Benaglia, C, Zussino, M, Cavalli, R, Sena, P, Berti, E, Pamela Vezzoli, Michele Parietti, Andrea Carugno, Marco Di Mercurio, Chiara Benaglia, Martina Zussino, Riccardo Cavalli, Paolo Sena, and Emilio Berti
- Abstract
Introduction: pemphigus vulgaris is a rare autoimmune blistering disease that involves the skin and mucous membranes and rarely occurs in pediatric age. Methods: we present a case of childhood pemphigus in a 9-year-old patient from Burkina Faso, which initially manifested with erosive lesions symmetrically distributed in the oral cavity. After a few months, we also observed hyperchromic lesions of the back. Histopathological examination of skin samples showed intraepidermal acantholysis, while direct immunofluorescence showed deposits of complement (C3) and immunoglobulins G (IgG) in the epidermidis; an ELISA test highlighted the presence of circulating autoantibodies against desmoglein 3. Results: the follow-up of this patient was made difficult by the advent of the COVID-19 outbreak. However, after about one year of combined therapy with systemic steroids and azathioprine the patient reached clinical remission.
- Published
- 2022