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Postpemphigus acanthomata: a sign of clinical activity?
Author(s) -
Yesudian Paul Devakar,
Krishnan Srivilliputtur G.S.,
Jayaraman Muriugaiya,
Janaki Vanakampadi R.,
Yesudian Patrick
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-4362.1997.00092.x
Subject(s) - pemphigus foliaceus , pemphigus vulgaris , medicine , dermatology , pemphigus , acanthosis , hypopigmentation , papillomatosis , direct fluorescent antibody , skin biopsy , biopsy , hyperkeratosis , pathology , autoantibody , antibody , immunology
Background Pemphigus is a group of vesiculobullous disorders in which the blisters usually heal with hyper‐ or hypopigmentation. The appearance of acanthomata at sites of previous blisters has been noted in some cases. Methods All cases of pemphigus admitted to the Madras Medical College hospitals during a 2‐year period from March 1993 to March 1995 were taken into the study and screened for the presence of acanthomata. Results Fifty‐two cases of pemphigus were identified, 47 of pemphigus vulgaris and five of pemphigus foliaceus; and of these 13 developed acanthomata when the blisters healed. Ten of these cases were of pemphigus vulgaris and three were of pemphigus foliaceus; biopsy of these lesions showed hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, papillomatosis, and intraepidermal clefting. Immunofluorescence carried out in two of these acanthomata also showed intercellular fluorescence. Conclusions The occurrence of acanthomata in healed lesions of pemphigus is not uncommon; because histopathologic and immunofluorescence evidence of disease activity is present, cases of this sort require careful follow‐up.