A case of refractory bullous pemphigoid with plasmapheresis-associated thrombopenia: efficacy of pulsed intravenous cyclophosphamide therapy.

Abstract

We present a 69-year-old woman with refractory bullous pemphigoid successfully treated with pulsed intravenous cyclophosphamide therapy. Because various other early treatments including 4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulphone (DDS), minocycline/nicotinamide, cyclosporin, azathioprine, high-dose oral prednisolone, and methylprednisolone pulse therapy were either ineffective or intolerable, she was treated with double filtration plasmapheresis, but she responded poorly with the rare complication of severe transient thrombopenia. Finally, she gradually recovered with pulsed intravenous cyclophosphamide therapy.

• Authors: Yasushi Ogawa, Ayumi Adachi, Miyako Okamoto, Takashi Hashimoto, Yasushi Tomita
• Journal: The Journal of dermatology (J Dermatol) Vol. 31 Issue 8 Pg. 651-4 (Aug 2004) ISSN: 0385-2407 [Print] England
• PMID: 15492438 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Cyclophosphamide

Topics

• Aged
• Cyclophosphamide (administration & dosage)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Female
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (administration & dosage)
• Infusions, Intravenous
• Pemphigoid, Bullous (therapy)
• Plasmapheresis (adverse effects)
• Pulse Therapy, Drug
• Thrombocytopenia (diagnosis, etiology, pathology)