ABSTRACT
Abstract: Background: Previous studies have shown oxidative stress in pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus, nevertheless, it remains unknown whether a similar response is characteristic of endemic pemphigus foliaceus in Peru. Objectives: To determine the oxidative stress response in endemic pemphigus foliaceus patients and subjects with positive for anti-desmoglein1 antibodies (anti-dsg1) from endemic areas of Peru. Subjects and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. The study population included 21 patients with Endemic Pemphigus foliaceus and 12 healthy subjects with anti-dsg1 antibodies from the Peruvian Amazon (Ucayali), as well as 30 healthy control subjects. Malondialdehyde, an indicator of lipid peroxidation by free radicals, was measured in serum. Results: We collected 21 cases of endemic pemphigus foliaceus, 15 of them with active chronic disease and 6 in clinical remission. Serum malondialdehyde values in patients with chronic active evolution and healthy subjects with anti-dsg1 antibodies were statistically higher than those of healthy controls (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between serum values of localized and generalized clinical forms. Study limitations: The main limitation of this present study is the small number of patients with endemic pemphigus and healthy subjects positive for desmoglein 1 antibodies. Conclusions: The increased serum levels of malondialdehyde in patients with chronic active endemic pemphigus foliaceus and healthy subjects from endemic areas with anti-dsg1 antibodies may suggest a contribution of systemic lipid peroxidation in the pathogenesis of endemic pemphigus foliaceus.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adolescent , Adult , Young Adult , Pemphigus/immunology , Pemphigus/metabolism , Oxidative Stress/physiology , Desmoglein 1/immunology , Malondialdehyde/blood , Antibodies/blood , Peru , Reference Values , Remission, Spontaneous , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Lipid Peroxidation/physiology , Case-Control Studies , Cross-Sectional Studies , Statistics, Nonparametric , Endemic Diseases , Desmoglein 1/bloodABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pemphigus is an autoimmune blistering disease. According to a report, in areas of endemic pemphigus foliaceus (EPF) in Peru there are cases of pemphigus vulgaris with epidemiologic, clinical and histopathologic characteristics similar to those of "endemic pemphigus vulgaris" (EPV) in Brazil. OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of endemic pemphigus and the risk factors of patients for developing complications during treatment. METHODS: A study was carried out from July 2003 to March 2008. The study population was 60 patients with EPF and 7 patients with EPV evaluated in hospitals and clinics in the Peruvian Amazon and Lima. A multivariate analysis was carried out using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The average age of EPF patients was 31.4 years; 55% were men; 60% presented the generalized clinical variant. Non-compliance with the treatment was seen in 57.1% of the patients. Thirty-five percent presented complications (e.g. pyodermitis and pyelonephritis) during treatment. The risk factors for developing complications during treatment were non-compliance with the treatment and having the generalized clinical form. In the EPV group, the average age was 21.7 years; 71.4% were men. All patients presented with the mucocutaneous clinical variant and the initial presentation consisted of oral mucosa lesions; 71.4% presented complications during treatment, pyodermitis being the most frequent. CONCLUSIONS: Non-compliance with the treatment and the generalized clinical form are risk factors for the development of complications during treatment of patients with EPF. Peru indeed has EPV cases with epidemiologic characteristics similar to EPF. Living in a rural area may represent a risk factor for the development of complications during treatment of patients with EPV.
FUNDAMENTOS: O pênfigo é uma doença auto-imune bolhosa. Segundo um relatório, em áreas de pênfigo foliáceo endêmico no Peru há casos de pênfigo vulgar com características epidemiológicas, clínicas e histopatológicas semelhantes às do "pênfigo vulgar endêmico" no Brasil. OBJETIVOS: Determinar as características clínicas e epidemiológicas do pênfigo endêmico e os fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de complicações durante o tratamento. MÉTODOS: Um estudo foi realizado de julho de 2003 a março de 2008. 60 doentes de pênfigo foliáceo endêmico e 7 de pênfigo vulgar endêmico foram avaliados em hospitais e clínicas na Amazônia peruana e em Lima. Uma análise multivariante foi feita usando regressão logística binária. RESULTADOS: A idade média dos doentes de pênfigo foliáceo endêmico foi 31,4 anos; 55% eram homens, 60% apresentavam a forma clínica generalizada. 57,1% nao cumpriram o tratamento. 35% apresentaram complicações (por exemplo, piodermites e pielonefrite). Os fatores de risco foram não cumprir o tratamento e ter a forma clínica generalizada. No grupo pênfigo vulgar endêmico, a idade média foi 21,7 anos; 71,4% eram homens. Todos os pacientes apresentavam a variante clínica mucocutânea e a apresentação inicial consistia de lesões da mucosa bucal; 71,4% apresentaram complicações durante o tratamento, piodermites sendo a mais freqüente. CONCLUSÕES: Não cumprir o tratamento e ter a forma clínica generalizada são fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de complicações durante o tratamento de pênfigo foliáceo endêmico. Peru realmente tem casos de pênfigo vulgar endêmico com características epidemiológicas semelhantes às do pênfigo foliáceo endêmico. Viver numa área rural pode ser um fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de complicações.