Childhood pemphigus foliaceus presenting as a polycyclic eruption: Case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is an autoimmune bullous disorder that has occasionally been reported to present as a polycyclic or arcuate eruption in children. We present a case of childhood PF presenting as an annular and polycyclic eruption, which initially led to a diagnostic conundrum and a delay in diagnosis but which ultimately responded well to therapy with systemic steroids and rituximab infusions. We briefly review the literature on polycyclic presentations of PF in childhood as well as the use of rituximab for pediatric pemphigus.

Keywords: arcuate; circinate; pemphigus foliaceus; polycyclic; rituximab.