[Adjuvant therapy of pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus with intravenous immunoglobulins].

Abstract

High dose intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) have been shown to be effective in different autoimmune diseases. We report on the use of IVIG in patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) or pemphigus foliaceus (PF) resistant to conventional therapy. Six patients who presented with a relapse of their disease following conventional immunosuppressive treatment with prednisolone and azathioprine were additionally treated with 2 g/kg of IVIG every four weeks. Six to nine cycles of this therapy were given to each patient. All patients showed healing of their blisters without evidence of relapse even when steroids and immunosuppressants were tapered. None of the patients relapsed within one year of follow-up, although IVIG treatment was discontinued. Side effects of IVIG treatment were moderate with only slight evidence of headaches. We suggest that adjuvant treatment of PV and PF resistant to conventional immunosuppressive strategies is a useful addition to our therapeutic arsenal in both diseases.

• Authors: A H Enk, J Knop
• Journal: Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift fur Dermatologie, Venerologie, und verwandte Gebiete (Hautarzt) Vol. 49 Issue 10 Pg. 774-6 (Oct 1998) ISSN: 0017-8470 [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Adjuvante Therapie von Pemphigus vulgaris und Pemphigus foliaceus mit intravenösen Immunglobulinen.
• PMID: 9857253 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Autoantibodies
• Immunosuppressive Agents

Topics

• Autoantibodies (blood)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Immunization, Passive
• Immunosuppressive Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Pemphigus (immunology, therapy)