A Case of Pediatric Pemphigus Treated with Rituximab – Our Experience
Valentina Broshtilova *
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Military Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria and Department of Infectious Diseases, Parasitology and Dermatovenereology, Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria.
Snejina Vassileva
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune blistering disease with great diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in the pediatric age group. The severe clinical course is often complicated with substantial morbidity and mortality, attributed to treatment side effects. Rituximab proves effective in cases unresponsive to conventional immunosuppressive therapy, corticosteroid-resistant patients and in those who experience unbearable and severe side effects. We present a recalcitrant case of juvenile pemphigus vulgaris treated with rituximab. Additionally, highlights of the currently reported cases of pediatric pemphigus, who received anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy, are provided.
Keywords: Pemphigus, pediatric group, rituximab.