Refractory pemphigus foliaceus associated with herpesvirus infection: case report

• Published in: Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo
• Main Authors: Nurimar C. Fernandes, Heloisa Rampinelli, Leandro Magalhães de Souza, Maria Angélica A. M. Guimarães
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
• Subjects: Pemphigus; Human Herpesvirus 1; Human Herpesvirus 2; Polymerase chain reaction; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/s1678-9946201759041; https://doaj.org/article/cc7ac14442d243d9ac847485ee876c39

ABSTRACT Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is an autoimmune disease characterized by blistering of the skin. Infections caused by members of the herpesviridae family have been suggested as a possible triggering factor for pemphigus vulgaris (PV), but not for PF. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of Human herpesvirus (types 1, 2, 3) in corticosteroid refractory skin lesions from a patient with PF, by a Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The sample collected from cutaneous blisters has tested positive for herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) after sequence analysis of the amplified viral genomic segment. The study concluded that when PF patients present corticosteroid or immunosuppressants refractory lesions, herpetic infection should be considered.