Four cases of recalcitrant pemphigus vulgaris salvaged with rituximab

Although the long-term use of immunosuppressives – supplemented with more aggressive treatments such as immunoadsorption, intravenous immunoglobulins, or plasmapheresis in recalcitrant cases has dramatically improved the prognosis of pemphigus vulgaris, opportunistic infections secondary to immunosu...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Samyak Ganjre, Yugal K Sharma, Aayush Gupta, Kirti Deo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2017-01-01
Series:Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil University
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mjdrdypu.org/article.asp?issn=0975-2870;year=2017;volume=10;issue=1;spage=85;epage=88;aulast=Ganjre
Description
Summary:Although the long-term use of immunosuppressives – supplemented with more aggressive treatments such as immunoadsorption, intravenous immunoglobulins, or plasmapheresis in recalcitrant cases has dramatically improved the prognosis of pemphigus vulgaris, opportunistic infections secondary to immunosuppression continue to cause significant mortality. We report four cases– three old ones, who had accumulated significant morbidities over their disease duration ranging from 5 to 10 years, and the fourth, a teenage female intolerant to corticosteroids and idiosyncratic to methotrexate– who achieved complete remission on administration of rituximab by the lymphoma protocol. One of the old cases who had recalcitrant mucositis experienced its complete subsidence without any adjuvant whatsoever. All continue to remain asymptomatic for 11–20 months. None had infusion reactions or any delayed side effects.
ISSN:0975-2870