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Limited studies have explored pemphigus variations among different ethnic groups residing in their respective geographical locations. This bicontinental study aimed to compare clinical and immunological parameters in Indian and European pemphigus patients in complete remission, off therapy, or on minimal therapy. 105 patients (India, n= 75; Bulgaria, n=15; Greece, n=15) with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) or pemphigus foliaceous (PF) in complete remission on minimal therapy (n=64) or complete remission off therapy (n=41) were recruited. Demographic, clinical, and immunological parameters were compared. Indian patients were significantly younger, the maximal disease severity during the preceding active disease phase was significantly lower, and treatment duration until complete remission was significantly shorter, compared to European patients. European patients had significantly higher anti-Dsg3 serum levels and higher IgG positivity rate based on direct immunofluorescence microscopy at baseline. Furthermore, European patients revealed higher CD19, CD19+ CD27+ cell counts, compared with patients from India. Of note, none of the European patients (n=30) relapsed within the study period, in contrast to 29/75 (38.6%) Indian patients. Treatment strategies differed significantly between the two cohorts, with more frequent utilization of rituximab to achieve remission in the Indian cohort, while prednisolone was more widely used for maintaining remission in the European cohort. The observed heterogeneity of pemphigus among patients of different ethnicities in terms of demographics, clinical parameters, and propensity for relapse may be due to genetic background or different treatment strategies.

Background: Pemphigus vulgaris is a potentially fatal autoimmune epidermal blistering disease with a chronic and relapsing course. It is difficult to predict clinical relapse. Identification of clinical and immunological factors that are associated with early clinical relapse in a prospective study design may help in planning treatment for better maintenance of clinical remission., Aim: The aim of our study was to identify clinical and immunological factors associated with clinical relapse within 9 months of study inclusion in patients with pemphigus vulgaris in clinical remission., Methods: Forty consecutive consenting patients who had been diagnosed to have pemphigus vulgaris and were in clinical remission on minimal therapy or off therapy were included. The patients were followed up every 3 months until 9 months. Clinical factors considered relevant were recorded at the beginning of the study. Immunological factors such as CD19+ B-cell count and CD19+CD27+ memory B cells/plasma cell count in peripheral blood were assessed at baseline [anti-desmoglein (Dsg) 1 and 3 titers were first assessed at 3 months, not at baseline] and repeated every 3 months, until 9 months or clinical relapse whichever was earlier. Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) of skin biopsy specimen was performed at study initiation and again at the time of clinical relapse or study completion, whichever occurred earlier. All patients completed the study., Results: Of 40 patients, 11 (27.5%) experienced relapse as per definition, while 29 (72.5%) remained in complete remission. Clinical relapse during study duration was significantly more common in those who had onset of disease in oral mucosa [odds ratio (OR), 10.71; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21-94.86, P = 0.02], pruritus (OR 8.4; 95% CI 1.76-40.02, P = 0.01), and extensive cutaneous involvement during previous disease activity (OR 7.36; 95% CI 1.34-40.55, P = 0.03) and also pruritus during remission (P = 0.004). Immunological factors found to be significantly associated with early clinical relapse were raised CD19+ B-cell count at baseline (OR 7.84; 95% CI 1.39 - 53.41, P = 0.01), immunoglobulin G (OR 4.85; 95% CI 1.09-23.44, P = 0.04), and C3 (OR 20.33; 95% CI 3.02-199.5, P < 0.001) positivity in the intercellular space of the epidermis on DIF at study onset and rising anti-Dsg 3 antibody titers (OR 19.96; 95% CI 1.85- 310.9, P = 0.03)., Limitations: Limited sample size, short follow-up duration, and inability to perform anti-Dsg enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for all the patients at all the time points of assessment are limitations of this study., Conclusion: Immunological relapse can be determined before clinical relapse, so that treatment can be restarted/modified and clinical remission can be maintained., Competing Interests: None

Background: Lichen planus-like lesions on oral mucosa occasionally occur in Indian patients with pemphigus vulgaris. Its significance, both clinical and pathological, is yet to be elucidated., Aims and Objectives: To study the clinical and pathological characteristics of clinically apparent oral mucosal lichen planus-like lesions in pemphigus patients and to assess their relation with pemphigus disease activity., Materials and Methods: A total of 32 patients with pemphigus vulgaris who had oral lichen planus-like lesions were included and classified as 'cases,' and eight diagnosed cases of pemphigus vulgaris without lichenoid 'hue' were included as controls. The biopsy specimens were subjected to routine histopathologic examination, immunohistochemistry with FasL, and caspase-3 and direct immunofluorescence., Results: On histopathologic examination, the diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris, lichen planus, 'overlap' and 'nonspecific' were rendered in 19 (59.4%), 4 (12.5%), 5 (15.6%) and 4 (12.5%) cases, respectively. On immunohistochemistry, FasL was positive in epithelial cells in 16 (50%) cases and 4 (12.5%) controls (P = 0.066). Caspase-3 stained positively in 18 (56.2%) cases and 20 (62.5%) controls (P = 0.77). Direct immunofluorescence was positive in 77.8% (21/27) of the cases., Limitations: Relatively small number of controls is the limitation of this study., Conclusion: Lichen planus-like lesions in pemphigus should not be labeled as inactive disease or postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Apoptosis followed by pigment incontinence seems to explain such lesions with 'lichen planus-like appearance' in oral pemphigus vulgaris. Active pemphigus smoulders in a majority of these lesions., Competing Interests: None