Antidesmoglein antibodies can also be detected in a blood sample using the ELISA technique. Classification
Pemphigus is a group of autoimmune blistering diseases that may be classified into these types:
Pemphigus vulgaris
Pemphigus vegetans
Pemphigus vegetans of Hallopeau
Pemphigus vegetans of Neumann
Pemphigus foliaceus, of which there several forms:
Pemphigus erythematosus or Senear–Usher Syndrome
Endemic pemphigus foliaceus with its three variants, Fogo Selvagem, the new variant endemic pemphigus Foliaeus and Tunisian endemic pemphigus foliaceus
Paraneoplastic pemphigus
IgA pemphigus, of which there several forms:
Subcorneal pustular dermatosis
Intraepidermal neutrophilic IgA dermatosis
Drug induced pemphigus

Treatment
If not treated, pemphigus can be fatal, usually from overwhelming opportunistic infection of lesions. The most common treatment is the administration of oral steroids, especially prednisone, often in high doses. The side effects of corticosteroids may require the use of so-called steroid-sparing or adjuvant drugs. One of the most dangerous side effects of high-dosage steroid treatments is intestinal perforations, which may lead to sepsis. Steroids and other medications being taken to treat pemphigus may also mask the effects of the perforations. Patients on high dosages of oral steroids should closely monitor their gastrointestinal health. As lesions are usually terribly painful, pain medication likely complicate and exacerbate the gastrointestinal issues caused by steroids. Treatment options
Topical steroids, such as clobetasol
Intralesional injection of steroids, such as dexamethasone
Immunosuppressant drugs, such as CellCept (mycophenolic acid): In recent years, adjuvant drugs, especially biologics, have shown great promise. Serum- or plasma-pooled products, such as intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG) may be useful in severe cases, especially paraneoplastic pemphigus.
Pili torti (singular pilus tortus; also known as "twisted hairs") is characterized by short and brittle hairs that appear flattened and twisted when viewed through a microscope. : 638 : 764 This phenotype is noted in Menkes disease and Lichen planopilaris. Pili torti can also occur after use of retinoids, such as isotretinoin. See also
List of cutaneous conditions
Crandall syndrome

References


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