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Cervicovaginal involvement in pemphigus vulgaris: a clinical study of 77 cases
Author(s) -
Akhyani M.,
ChamsDavatchi C.,
Naraghi Z.,
Daneshpazhooh M.,
Toosi S.,
Asgari M.,
Malekhami F.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2007.08356.x
Subject(s) - pemphigus vulgaris , dermatology , medicine , pemphigus
Summary Background Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune blistering disease which is known to involve the female genital tract, but the frequency at which this occurs is unknown. There are few reports in the literature of the cytological appearance of PV on cervicovaginal smears. Objectives To evaluate involvement of the female genital tract and the appearance of cervicovaginal Papanicolaou (Pap) smears in PV. Methods The study included 77 patients with PV who attended between April 2005 and February 2007. Each patient was subjected to gynaecological examination and cervicovaginal Pap smear. Results Genital lesions were observed in 39 patients (51%). Of these, the labia minora were involved in 36 patients (92%), the labia majora in 11 (28%), the vagina in 14 (36%) and the cervix in six (15%). Cervicovaginal Pap smears of 20 of 77 patients (26%) showed PV. Of 72 satisfactory Pap smears, the cervical Pap smear was normal in 25 patients (35%), inflammatory in 43 patients (60%), and dysplastic (low‐grade squamous intraepithelial neoplasia) in four patients (6%). Conclusions Involvement of the female genital tract with PV might not be as infrequent as was previously thought; it is probably the second most common mucosal site of PV after the oral mucosa. Genital lesions may be missed and the need for thorough pelvic examination should not be overlooked.