A Case of Pemphigus Vulgaris in a 13-Year-Old Girl

Abstract

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune disease that commonly occurs in adults of 40 to 60 years of age. The present case was a 13-year-old female who suffered from bullous and erosive lesions in the oral cavity, esophagus, and vaginal mucosa. The patient did not associate with any skin lesions. Diagnosis of mucosal-type PV was confirmed by histopathologic finding (acantholysis) and serologic examination, which showed positive reaction to Dsg 3. The patient's clinical symptoms were improved after treatment with prednisolone, but the antibody titer against Dsg 3 barely declined during the treatment. PV rarely occurs in childhood, and such a case must be diagnosed with utmost care.