| Theme |
Autoimmune Diseases in Gastroenterology |
| Title |
Esophageal Involvement in Pemphigus |
| Author |
Hiroko Gomi |
Third Department of Internal Medicine and Dermatology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Ichihara Hospital |
| Author |
Koji Yakabi |
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Ichihara Hospital |
| Author |
Takashi Nakamura |
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Ichihara Hospital |
| Author |
Itsuro Matsuo |
Dermatology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Ichihara Hospital |
| [ Summary ] |
Esophageal lesions were noted in 70% of the patients with pemphigus evaluated since 1987. This frequency is higher than that previously reported in medical literature. However, since pemphigus is one of the autoimmune disorders caused by autoantibodies to cell adhesion molecules of desmogleins (Dsg) 1 and 3, the concurrence of lesions in the esophagus is quite likely, because both Dsg 1 and 3 are present in the stratified squamous epithelium of the esophagus.
Vesicles, erosion, ulcers, and desquamative esophagitis are observed in the esophagus of patients with pemphigus. A diagnosis of pemphigus should be considered in some cases of so called unexplained esophagitis. |