Vegetative pemphigus is one of the clinical types of pemphigus. This form of the disease is characterized by the appearance of small growths (vegetations) at the bottom of erosion. A feature of vegetative pemphigus is the location of formations near the natural openings of the body and in the skin folds.
The content of the article:
Symptoms of vegetative pemphigus
Diagnosis of vegetative pemphigus
Treatment of vegetative pemphigus
Prognosis of vegetative pemphigus
Vegetative Pemphigus
Vegetative pemphigus is essentially an autoimmune disease that causes far from a single violation in the activity of the immune system, after which antibodies to epidermal cells begin to appear in the human body. Diagnosis of vegetative pemphigus uses immunohistochemical methods. Treatment of the disease is quite complicated, since there is a high risk of various side effects.
The appearance of vegetative pemphigus is provoked by external and genetic factors. The disease can be caused by infection, the use of certain medications and foods, viruses, professional activity, physical factors. As a result, external factors lead to the production of cytokines, which causes an autoimmune process.
Symptoms of vegetative pemphigus
The first symptom is the appearance of blisters (the mucous membrane of the mouth is affected). Inside them is a serous hemorrhagic fluid. After a while (in some cases simultaneously), the bubbles affect the folds of the skin of the buttocks, armpits, ears, breasts, etc.
The bladder in this disease is characterized by a flabby shell. It also opens up quickly, and erosion forms in its place. Its bottom is covered with bright red papillomatous formations that appear, as a rule, on the fourth day after the opening of the bladder. The peculiarity of erosions is that they can merge, resulting in a hearth reaching a diameter of 10-15 cm. A liquid with a purulent odor may be released from the erosions. This process is accompanied by severe pain. The patient feels a burning sensation, which gives him unpleasant sensations and discomfort.
Further development of vegetative pemphigus can lead to extreme exhaustion of the patient. Timely diagnosis and treatment will help to overcome this disease. Only pigmented spots will remain from blisters and erosions, which can be called a successful result of treatment.
Diagnosis of vegetative pemphigus
When making a diagnosis, it is enough for the doctor to see the localization of the formations and the characteristic clinical picture. Nikolsky’s symptom, when the epidermis separates under mechanical action, is characteristic of pemphigus. In the case of vegetative pemphigus, this can only be seen near the lesion. Very rarely, Nikolsky’s symptom manifests itself on healthy parts of the body.
Smears are taken from the surface of erosions for microscopic examination, thanks to which it is possible to determine the presence or absence of acantholytic cells. This diagnostic method is used for diseases such as herpes, chickenpox, etc.
With the help of histological examination, horizontal cracks and other internal features can be identified. Histological material is sent for immunological examination to confirm the autoimmune nature of the origin of the disease. Direct and indirect immunofluorescence reactions are isolated. In the first case, accumulations of IgG (class G immunoglobulins) are detected, in the second — a high titer of autoantibodies. These reactions help to prescribe adequate treatment.
Treatment of vegetative pemphigus
In the treatment of the presented disease, corticosteroids are used: polcortolone, dexamethasone, prednisolone, metipred, etc. It is of great importance to increase the protective forces of the patient, it is necessary to maintain his condition. To reduce injuries, healthy skin is treated with special ointments and powders.
Baths with potassium permanganate are also prescribed to remove decay products from the skin. However, such procedures have a number of disadvantages, as they give a short-term result. There is also a possibility that the patient may feel worse, there may be cardiac disorders.
Therapy begins with large doses, it is not abandoned, even if it causes certain complications.
In some cases, cytostatic drugs are prescribed for the treatment of vegetative pemphigus: methotrexate, cyclophosphamide or azathioprine.
Prognosis of vegetative pemphigus
Vegetative pemphigus is a very complex disease, so the prognosis is unfavorable. A person can die from severe weakening of the body. Concomitant infectious complications may occur, leading to sepsis.
Long-term treatment provokes endocrine diseases, problems with the gastrointestinal tract and other various disorders in the body.
