Author Archives - Cristo Rey
Therapeutic targets for pemphigus vulgaris discovered
24 Oct 2012 (Around the Globe & News and Information)MedWire News: Researchers have identified the primary target of the autoantibodies found in the serum of patients with the blistering skin disorder pemphigus vulgaris (PV). PV patients develop antibodies against the proteins desmoglein (DSG)1 and 3, which help epidermal cells stick together and maintain the integrity of the skin, causing painful blistering on the skin and mucus membranes. Giovanna Zambruno…
Corticosteroid-induced hyperglycemia is increased 10-fold in patients with pemphigus
22 Oct 2012 (Around the Globe & News and Information)This study aimed to highlight the importance of routine screening for hyperglycemia and to develop a standardized, evidence-based approach for the management of pemphigus patients on prolonged systemic corticosteroid (CS) therapy. A cross-sectional study was conducted in two university-affiliated teaching hospitals using a referred sample of 200 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceus, or mucous membrane…
Enrichment of total serum IgG4 in patients with pemphigus
20 Oct 2012 (Around the Globe & News and Information)Background Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF) are potentially fatal blistering diseases caused by autoantibodies targeting desmoglein (Dsg) adhesion proteins. Previous studies have shown an IgG4 > IgG1 predominance of anti-Dsg antibodies in pemphigus; however, no studies have examined total serum IgG4 levels in pemphigus. IgG4 is induced by chronic antigen stimulation, which could occur with persistent skin blistering and potentially…
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene polymorphism is not associated with pemphigus vulgaris in Iranian patients
18 Oct 2012 (Around the Globe & News and Information)Background Promoter polymorphisms of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene are associated with increased production of macrophage migration inhibitory factor. Elevated levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor have been observed in the sera of patients with pemphigus vulgaris. More than this, macrophage migration inhibitory factor promoter gene polymorphism has been found to confer increased risk of susceptibility to chronic inflammatory…
Researchers Identify Immune System Targets Associated With Skin Blistering Disease Pemphigus Vulgaris
16 Oct 2012 (Around the Globe & News and Information)Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system develops antibodies to two of its own proteins, the desmogleins DSG1 and DSG3 that help maintain the integrity of the skin. The immune attack causes painful blisters on the skin and mucus membranes that can lead to infections. Current therapies are geared towards suppressing the entire immune…
Therapeutic effect of mizoribine on pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus
14 Oct 2012 (Around the Globe & News and Information)We evaluated the effectiveness of mizoribine, a newly developed immunosuppressive agent, as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of both pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus. Eleven pemphigus patients (eight pemphigus vulgaris and three pemphigus foliaceus) received the combination therapy of prednisolone and mizoribine. Complete remission was observed in three of the eight patients with pemphigus vulgaris and in one of…
Pemphigus autoantibodies generated through somatic mutations target the desmoglein-3 cis-interface
14 Oct 2012 (Around the Globe & News and Information)Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune blistering disease of skin and mucous membranes caused by autoantibodies to the desmoglein (DSG) family proteins DSG3 and DSG1, leading to loss of keratinocyte cell adhesion. To learn more about pathogenic PV autoantibodies, we isolated 15 IgG antibodies specific for DSG3 from 2 PV patients. Three antibodies disrupted keratinocyte monolayers in vitro, and 2…
Multiple cutaneous neutropenic ulcers associated with azathioprine
10 Oct 2012 (Around the Globe & News and Information)We report a case of neutropenic ulceration in a 42-year-old woman receiving azathioprine for pemphigus vulgaris. She developed multiple indolent ulcers involving the nose, neck, and back, after about 6-8 weeks following commencement of azathioprine 50 mg daily. The ulcers were large, disfiguring, dry, and with basal necrotic slough. They were painless and did not discharge pus. The absolute neutrophil…
Etiology of pyrexia in pemphigus patients: A dermatologist’s enigma
07 Oct 2012 (Around the Globe & News and Information)Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a rare immunobullous dermatosis with worldwide distribution. The core manifestation of the condition is mucosal erosions and easily ruptured bullae that emerge on an apparently normal skin and mucous membranes or on an erythematous base. It is perhaps the most formidable dermatologic emergency which requires prompt treatment without which it may prove to be fatal. Though,…
Retrospective analysis of 12 Korean patients with paraneoplastic pemphigus
06 Oct 2012 (Around the Globe & News and Information)Paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) is a rare, life-threatening, autoimmune, mucocutaneous blistering disease associated with neoplasia. Both humoral and cellular immunity are involved in the pathogenesis of PNP. Characteristically, PNP has a diverse spectrum of clinical and immunopathological features. We retrospectively analyzed 12 Korean patients with PNP who were diagnosed between 1993 and 2011. We performed analysis of the clinical features, clinical…