NONBULLOUS, ERYTHEMA ANNULARE-LIKE PEMPHIGUS

A 25-year-old woman presented with a 1-month duration, mildly pruritic , erythema annulare-like rash involving the trunk and proximal aspects of the limbs, in the absence of any clinically obvious blister format ion. Only discrete scaling and very sparse vesiculation were detected mainly at the periphery of the lesions. Biopsy specimens for histopath ologic examination and direct immunofluorescence study showed typical pemphigus findings. Circulating anti-epidermal cell surface antibodies were also detected with indirect immunofluorescence tests. The erythe ma annulare-like pattern of presentation of pemphigus is exceedingly r are; nevertheless, this possibility should be considered in the differ ential diagnosis of persistent, annular and figurate erythematous erup tions. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.