Refractory pemphigus foliaceous treated with rituximab

Abstract

Autoimmune blistering diseases are rare but potentially life-threatening conditions. Pemphigus foliaceus is one of these conditions, characterised by superficial erosions of the skin without mucosal involvement. We report the case of a 57-year-old woman who presented with a 4-week history of rash affecting her scalp with associated hair loss. Clinical and histopathological findings were in keeping with pemphigus foliaceus. She was successfully treated with rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody against CD20, leading to a transient depletion of B cells. After 5 months of follow-up, her rash had cleared, and her hair had completely regrown.