Pemphigus vulgaris and infections - A retrospective study

Pemphigus Vulgaris is an autoimmune disease and is treated with immunosuppressive therapy. This reason but either the fact that the skin is not intact are predisposition factors why patients with Pemphigus vulgaris are predisposed to infections. We aimed to study the frequency of infections, categorical and numeric variables related to infection, in Pemphigus vulgaris s patients admitted to dermatology service. This retrospective study was conducted on 130 patients diagnosed with Pemphigus vulgaris and hospitalized at Dermatology Clinic during the year 2020-2022. The diagnosis of Pemphigus vulgaris was confirmed by biopsy and indirect/direct immunofluorescence findings. Data were collected through the charts in the Statistics Department, in UHC "Mother Teresa", Tirana, Albania. 130 patients (70 males, 60 females) were hospitalized in UHC " Mother Theresa) during the period 2020-20122. 48.69% of patients had infections. The occurrence of infection was significantly related to the severity of the disease, multiple admissions, and hospitalization duration. The most frequent infections encountered: are skin infections, urinary infections, pulmonary infections, and opportunistic infections (candida). The most common pathogenic germs isolated from cultures were Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Infections are the most common complication among patients treated for Pemphigus vulgaris. Patients with longer duration disease and hospitalization have a higher probability to develop infections, mainly skin infections. Due to the limitations of a retrospective study, we recommend a prospective study.