Chronic Balanitis Owing to Pemphigus Vegetans

Abstract

Pemphigus is an autoimmune bullous dermatosis in which intercellular antibodies are associated with loss of intercellular cohesion. Pemphigus vegetans, a rare variant of pemphigus, is manifested by vegetating plaques, usually in intertriginous areas of patients who probably have an increased resistance to the disease. We report a case of chronic balanitis owing to pemphigus vegetans, and discuss proposed pathogenic mechanisms and treatment.