Otherwise, most patients die within a year of diagnosis. The major causes of death include respiratory failure and life-threatening infections. Pemphigus Foliaceus Pemphigus is a term used to describe blistering of the skin caused by binding of antibodies to the surface of the cells of the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis. In pemphigus foliaceus there are IgG antibodies that bind to the cell surfaces of epidermis of the skin. As a result, patients develop superficial cutaneous erosions.
Diagnosis is made by biopsying the skin.
The biopsy specimens show deposition of antibodies on the cell surfaces of the epidermis or epithelium by using specialized immunofluorescence techniques performed in our Dermatoimmunology Laboratory. Our laboratory also uses immunofluorescence techniques to detect antibodies in the blood. The titer of these antibodies may be helpful in evaluating the severity of the disease as well as disease course and response to therapy. Aggressive immunosuppressive therapies are indicated to control the disease. It may take several months for the erosions and blisters of pemphigus vulgaris to disappear after treatment has started, as circulating antibodies remain in the blood for weeks to months Pemphigus Vulgaris Pemphigus is a term used to describe blistering of the skin caused by binding of antibodies to the surface of the cells of the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis.