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Background Pemphigus vulgaris (PV, OMIM 169610) is a severe blistering disorder of the skin and mucous membranes, caused by the production of autoantibodies directed against the epithelial adhesive protein desmoglein 3. Although an association between PV and HLA class II alleles has been established, the genetic factors predisposing to the disease remain poorly understood, the rarity of PV hampering the recruitment of substantial patient cohorts. Objectives To investigate DSG3 as a candidate PV susceptibility gene. Methods We examined five DSG3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs8085532, rs3911655, rs3848485, rs3794925 and rs1466379) in two case–control datasets respectively originating from the U.K. (62 PV patients, 154 controls) and northern India (28 patients, 98 controls). Results In the U.K. sample, we observed a significant association between PV and the DSG3*TCCTC haplotype (Fisher's exact test P = 0·002). A related haplotype (DSG3*TCCCC) was associated with PV in the Indian dataset ( P = 0·002). We also found that all British and Indian patients bearing DSG3 risk haplotypes carried at least one copy of a PV-associated HLA allele. Conclusions These results suggest that genetic variation of DSG3 may be an additive risk factor predisposing to PV and warrant further investigations of this gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the calcifying panniculitis as a result to pentazocine injections. The lesions over the buttocks and thighs of an 81-year-old woman was observed and examined on April 2004. The woman had a record of chronic pancreatitis and received a treatment of pentazocine injection 4-5 times a day in 1970.

The article discusses the reticular erythematous mucinosis (REM) of a 43-year-old man with a 13-year-history of erythematous lesions on the central chest. The skin biopsy on the lesions revealed mild acanthosis with mild focal periadnexal and superficial perivascular chronic inflammation. According to some medical researchers, REM may also be related to a disorder in the immune system.

Presents a letter to the editor describing a case of Hailey-Hailey disease failing to respond to treatment.