How do you treat pemphigus foliaceus in cats?

Treatment of feline PF: Treatment requires immune suppression and immunomodulation. Do not treat pemphigus foliaceus without a diagnosis and elimination of other differentials. Glucocorticoids are the most common initial treatment, as they are potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents.

How does a cat get pemphigus foliaceus?

The cause or causes of autoimmune disease are not understood, although some theorize that genetics and/or environmental pollutants play a role. Certain drugs have also been reported as potential triggers for pemphigus foliaceus, a common form of autoimmune skin disease in cats. Early recognition is extremely important.

How common is pemphigus foliaceus in cats?

PEMPHIGUS FOLIACEUS IS A RARE autoimmune disease in cats accounting for less than 1% of the author’s skin cases. It is, nevertheless, considered to be the most common autoimmune disease of the skin seen in both dogs and cats.

What is feline pemphigus?

Abstract. Feline pemphigus foliaceus is an uncommon skin disorder in cats but still the most common autoimmune skin disorder seen in this species. It is a crusting dermatosis involving the ears, head, paws, and ungual folds primarily.

How to treat pemphigus foliaceus in dogs and cats?

Clinical signs improved with prednisone, azathioprine, and topical steroid. Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is one of the most common autoimmune skin diseases in the dog and cat. There is no sex or breed predilection, however Akitas (fig. 1) and Chow Chows are overrepresented, as well as some other canine breeds.

How is pemphigus foliaceus different from other diseases?

Pemphigus diseases result from the formation of antibodies against keratinocyte structures, and differ because each has a different target antigen and/or histopathologic feature. Epidermal cells have structures involved in cell to cell adhesion (desmosomes) or in cell-matrix adhesion (hemidesmosomes-anchoring fibrils complex).

How are acantholytic cells characterized in autoimmune dermatoses?

The pemphigus complex is a group of uncommon autoimmune dermatoses characterized by acantholysis. Acantholysis is the breakdown of intercellular desmosomal bridges, deep in the epidermis, resulting in the release of individual, rounded keratinocytes that have large, dark-staining nuclei. These cells are known as acantholytic cells (FIGURE 3).

What happens to keratinocytes in pemphigus foliaceus?

In the skin, hemidesmosomes bind the deep or basilar epidermal keratinocytes to the basement membrane. The pemphigus variants occur when autoantibodies target the desmosomes between keratinocytes. Desmosome disruption results in separation of the keratinocytes, which is referred to as acantholysis.