CME

Continuing Medical Education

Pemphigus Vulgaris Induced by Electrical Injury

Tan SR, McDermott MR, Castillo CJ, Sauder DN

Cutis. 2006;77:161-165.

Pemphigus refers to a group of autoimmune blistering diseases that affect the skin and mucous membranes. Pemphigus may be induced following exposure to various exogenous agents, including thermal burns, drugs, infectious agents, and neoplasms, as well as UV, ionizing, and x-ray irradiation. We report a case of a 28-year-old man with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) induced by a severe electrical injury. Approximately one month after the electrical injury, he began to develop recurrent painful oral ulcers; one year later, he began to develop cutaneous bullae. Results of a histopathologic examination and immunofluorescence studies were diagnostic of PV. The primary mechanisms of high-voltage electrical injury involve electroporation, electroconformational protein denaturation, and both joule and dielectric heating. Cutaneous electrical injury ultimately results in the destruction of cells with release of their cellular constituents. Through these mechanisms, desmoglein 3 (Dsg3) may be released and become available to the immune system, which potentially leads to an autoantibody response and the subsequent development of PV.

Share: