Severe Multi-Resistant Pemphigus vulgaris: prolonged remission with a single cycle of Rituximab

Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune bullous disease whose therapy is based on systemic corticosteroids, with or without immunosuppressants. Rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody of the IgG class, directed at a specific CD20 B cell surface antigen, used in pemphigus vulgaris empirically since 2002, with success in 90% of the cases and long periods of remission. Male patient, 33 years old, diagnosed with pemphigus vulgaris, confirmed by histopathology and direct immunofluorescence. He was treated for seven months with numerous treatments, including immunosuppressive drugs, with an unsatisfactory response, until he had complete remission with the use of rituximab. During a 34-month follow-up period, the patient presented a slight clinical relapse, which was successfully controlled with prednisone in a daily dose of 120mg, soon reduced to 20mg.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Corral,Isabela Soubhia, Freitas,Thais Helena Proença de, Aquino,Renata Telles Rudge de, Koller,Daniella Abbruzzini S., Magliari,Maria Elisa Ruffolo, Muller,Helena
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Sociedade Brasileira de Dermatologia 2013
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0365-05962013000400639
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