Lecture 11: Bullae & Desquamation Disorders Flashcards
What adheres the epidermis to the dermis?
Hemidesmosomes
What is the underlying pathophysiology for pemphigus?
- loss of cell to cell adhesion in the epidermis
- 2/2 Autoantibodies of the IgG class that attatch to desmogleins and inhibit desmosomes from aiding in cell adhesions (autoimmune disease)
Results in acantholysis
What are the two main descriptors of pemphigus vulgaris?
- Flaccid blisters on skin
- Erosions on mucous membranes
What specific demographic is MC for pemphigus vulgaris?
Jewish/Mediterranean descent
What characterizes pemphigus foliaceus specifically?
Scaly and crusted lesions
What demographic is MC for Pemphigus Foliaceus?
Brazilian
Brazil has lots of foliage
When does pemphigus tend to occur in general age-wise?
40-60
How are the lesions of pemphigus spaced?
Scattered and discrete with a random pattern
T/F: Pemphigus vesicles and bullae are filled with blood?
False: They are filled with serous content
T/F: Pemphigus blisters are flaccid and easily ruptured, often described as weeping?
True
What is a nikolsky sign?
Dislodging or normal appearing epidermis by lateral finger pressure in the vicinity of lesions.
Where is pemphigus vulgaris MC found on the body?
- Scalp
- Face
- Chest
- Axillae
- Groin
- Umbilicus
Where does Pemphigus Vulgaris typically begin?
Oral mucosa
What happens to a person due to painful mouth lesions in pemphigus vulgaris?
Inadequate food intake
What specific symptom is not seen in pemphigus vulgaris mouth lesions? What other symptoms are seen instead?
They do not have pruritus!
- burning/pain
- epistaxis
- dysphagia
- weakness
- malaise
- weight loss
lots of SE cause not eating which causes more SE
What is a key distinguishing factor seen on Physical exam between pemphigus vulgaris and foliaceus?
Lack of mucosal involvement in foliaceus
How does pemphigus foliaceus typically present?
Flaccid bullae that quickly rupture, resulting in superficial erosions.
What extends to more of the body: Pemphigus vulgaris or foliaceus?
Vulgaris, which goes down to the groin region.
Foliaceus is only face, scalp, upper chest, and abdomen
How do you test for pemphigus?
- Biopsy at the edge of a blister showing (+) deposits of IgG
- Direct immunofluorescence staining (DIF) of normal appearing skin adjacent to a lesion showing IgG and C3.
You must do a biopsy + DIF/ELISA
ELISA can be done but very expensive.
What ELISA results correspond to Pemphigus Vulgaris? Foliaceus?
- (+) a-Dsg3 = PV
- (+) a-Dsg1 = PF
PV can have neg or pos Dsg1, but only 3 matters.
V is later in the alphabet, so higher desmoglein.
Pharm tx for Pemphigus
- Prednisone 2-3mg/kg
- Azathioprine or Mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept)
Both
When do you D/C prednisone for pemphigus tx?
Cessation of new blister formation and disappearance of Nikolsky sign.