Pemphigus Flashcards
What is acantholysis
Disruption of the desmosomes causing seperation of the keratinocytes.
What is acantholytic keratinocytes
Keratinocytes that have lost their cell to cell adhesion.
What is pemphigus Vulgaris
Most commonly in German shepherds and collies. Males are predisposed. Generally over 6years.
What parts of the body are usually affected with pemphigus Vulgaris
90% cases affect the oral cavity. Also affects the mucocutaneous junctions, ears, claws, axilla and groin.
What are the clinical signs of pemphigus Vulgaris
Anorexia, depression, fever and secondary bacterial skin infection
What is pemphigus erythematosus
Lesions are usually confined to face and nose. Generally presents as pustules, crusts and erosion or depigmentation
What is pemphigus vegetans
Rarest form only seen in dogs. Gentler version of Vulgaris with somewhat milder ulcers
Paraneoplastic pemphigus
Very rare, affects mucus and mucocutaneous junctions. Usually seen with thymoma, thymic lymphoma and splenic sarcoma
What is the epidemiology of pemphigus
Affects canines, humans, felines and equines.
What canine breeds are predisposed to pemphigus
Akitas, chow chow, doberman pinschers, dachshunds
What is the pathology of pemphigus
Caused by sun exposure
Induced by drugs
Associated with allergies
Hyperthyroidism, thymoma, systemic lupus
What type of hypersensitivity reaction is pemphigus
Type 2 hypersensitivity
What is the chief complaint
Itching, seems depressed, inappetent, crusts and bumps around the face and seems painful when touched in affected areas
What is the GPE findings with pemphigus
Vesicles, scales, crusts, shallow ulcers, redness. Footpad overgrowth and cracking. Swollen lymph nodes, depression and anorexia
How do you diagnose pemphigus
History, gpe, cytology, skin or mucosal biopsies, direct immunofluorescence.
