Resistant oral mucosal lesions in pemphigus vulgaris responsive to double filtration plasmapheresis: First case report from Turkey

Transfus Apher Sci. 2013 Apr;48(2):273-5. doi: 10.1016/j.transci.2013.01.008. Epub 2013 Feb 13.

Abstract

Background: Adjuvant therapeutic methods are employed when pemphigus vulgaris (PV) fails to be controlled by conventional corticosteroid treatment.

Objective: The efficacy of double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) was investigated in a PV patient with severe, refractory mucosal disease.

Methods: A total of 3 DFPP cycles, each cycle consisting of 5 double filtration sessions conducted on alternate days was completed.

Results: DFPP provided immediate clinical relief of symptoms as well as a significant decrease in anti-desmoglein antibody levels and allowed for a much lower corticosteroid dose.

Conclusion: DFPP was an effective and safe adjuvant therapy in our patient with PV and it offers a valid treatment option in PV patients with recalcitrant disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage
  • Autoantibodies* / blood
  • Autoantibodies* / immunology
  • Desmin / immunology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Mouth Diseases* / blood
  • Mouth Diseases* / immunology
  • Mouth Diseases* / pathology
  • Mouth Diseases* / therapy
  • Mouth Mucosa* / immunology
  • Mouth Mucosa* / metabolism
  • Mouth Mucosa* / pathology
  • Pemphigus* / blood
  • Pemphigus* / immunology
  • Pemphigus* / pathology
  • Pemphigus* / therapy
  • Plasmapheresis*
  • Turkey

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Autoantibodies
  • Desmin