Differential Diagnoses

Workup

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Media Gallery

Direct immunofluorescence microscopy performed on epithelial biopsy specimen obtained from a patient with pemphigus vulgaris detects immunoglobulin G deposits at the epithelial cell surfaces.
Biopsy shows moderate epithelial hyperplasia with a suprabasal cleft that shows suprabasal acantholysis. The rest of the epithelium shows spongiosis with neutrophils. The submucosa has a moderately dense mixed perivascular infiltrate of lymphocytes and neutrophils. At places, the epithelium is missing, and the surface is covered by fibrin and necrotic inflammatory cells. Photo courtesy of Dr. Uday Khopkar.
Biopsy shows upper epidermal acantholytic blistering dermatitis involving the granular and upper spinous layer. The blister contains plasma, RBCs, and few acute inflammatory cells. The epidermis at the periphery of the blister shows mild spongiosis with neutrophils. In the roof of the blister, a few elongated acantholytic cells can be seen. Underlying dermis shows superficial and mid perivascular mixed infiltrate of neutrophils and lymphocytes. Photo courtesy of Dr. Uday Khopkar.
Biopsy shows upper epidermal acantholytic blistering dermatitis involving the granular and upper spinous layer with absence of roof of blister. The epidermis shows mild spongiosis with neutrophils. Underlying dermis shows superficial and mid perivascular mixed infiltrate of neutrophils and lymphocytes. Photo courtesy of Dr. Uday Khopkar.
Biopsy shows sparse superficial and deep perivascular infiltrate of lymphocytes. The papillary dermis is edematous and there is extravasation of RBCs. Basal layer shows vacuolization and interface infiltration by lymphocytes. Reticular dermis shows small amount of mucin. Photo courtesy of Dr. Uday Khopkar.

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Author

Rakesh Bharti, MD, AAHIVS Consultant Dermatologist and HIV Specialist, BDC Research Center, India

Rakesh Bharti, MD, AAHIVS is a member of the following medical societies: International AIDS Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

David F Butler, MD Former Section Chief of Dermatology, Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System; Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Founding Chair, Department of Dermatology, Scott and White Clinic

David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Julia R Nunley, MD Professor, Department of Dermatology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center

Julia R Nunley, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, American Society of Nephrology, International Society of Nephrology, Medical Dermatology Society, Medical Society of Virginia, National Kidney Foundation, Phi Beta Kappa, Women's Dermatologic Society

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: American Board of Dermatology<br/>Author for: Up-to-date.

Chief Editor

William D James, MD Paul R Gross Professor of Dermatology, Vice-Chairman, Residency Program Director, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

William D James, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Elsevier; WebMD.

Additional Contributors

Ponciano D Cruz, Jr, MD Professor and Vice-Chair, Paul R Bergstresser Chair, Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Ponciano D Cruz, Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Received consulting fee from RCTS for independent contractor; Received honoraria from Mary Kay Cosmetics for consulting; Received grant/research funds from Galderma for principal investigator.

Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges the patience of his wife Prabha Bharti while carrying out work on this article and the constant pushing of his learned sons Aseem and Anshul.

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