Bullous eruption with circulating pemphigus-like antibodies following interferon-alpha therapy

Dermatology. 1993;186(2):155-7. doi: 10.1159/000247329.

Abstract

Two patients with classic Kaposi sarcoma developed bullous lesions and pemphigus-like 'anti-intercellular-substance' antibodies when treated with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha). In one of them direct immunofluorescence was consistent with pemphigus/pemphigoid features. The immunoprecipitation test showed no specific bands. The mechanism by which IFN-alpha may induce the production of anti-intercellular-substance antibodies is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies / analysis
  • Complement C3 / analysis
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
  • Interferon-alpha / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Pemphigus / etiology*
  • Pemphigus / immunology
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / therapy
  • Skin / immunology
  • Skin Neoplasms / therapy

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Complement C3
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Interferon-alpha