Acute paronychia heralding the exacerbation of pemphigus vulgaris.

Abstract

Acute paronychia, the suppurative inflammation involving the paronychium of the nails, is usually caused by bacterial or fungal infection and has been rarely reported as a presentation of pemphigus vulgaris (PV). We report a woman with PV who presented with suppurative paronychia of multiple fingernails and toenails, which preceded the exacerbation of other mucocutaneous lesions. A biopsy specimen of the paronychium revealed suprabasal vesicles due to acantholysis. Systemic corticosteroids and adjuvant immunosuppressants were effective in treating mucocutaneous lesions as well as nail disease. We conclude that in patients with PV, acute paronychia could be a manifestation of the disease per se, rather than an infectious process. Only the precise diagnosis with adequate immunosuppressive treatment can lead to good control of disease activity.

• Authors: H E Lee, W R Wong, M C Lee, H S Hong
• Journal: International journal of clinical practice (Int J Clin Pract) Vol. 58 Issue 12 Pg. 1174-6 (Dec 2004) ISSN: 1368-5031 [Print] India
• PMID: 15646419 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Azathioprine
• Hydrocortisone

Topics

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (therapeutic use)
• Azathioprine (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Hydrocortisone (therapeutic use)
• Immunosuppressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Middle Aged
• Paronychia (drug therapy, etiology)
• Pemphigus (complications)
• Treatment Outcome