Two Cases of Pemphigus Foliaceus with Severe Pruritus and Elevated IgE Levels

Abstract

We report the clinical characteristics and management of two patients with severe PF, who presented with extreme pruritus and high IgE levels. Both the two patients had common characteristics as follows 1. They were all diagnosed as PF and presented with chronic eczematous lesions 2. The patients all accompanied with intense pruritus and were resistant to diversified forms of antihistamines. Furthermore, the level of IgE antibody in their serum was significantly increased 3. Their skin lesions were accompanied with Staphylococcus aureus infection by secretion culture 4. After the diagnosis of PF was made, methylprednisolone (1.5 mg/kg) and antibiotics were administered, which rapidly induced remission and the levels of Dsg1 and IgE in the serum were significantly declined. The possible role and mechanism of IgE elevation in these two cases were also discussed