1. The mechanism of respiratory failure in paraneoplastic pemphigus
- Author
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Nousari, Hossein C., Deterding, Robin, Wojtczack, Henry, Aho, Sirpa, Uitto, Jouni, Hashimoto, Takashi, and Anhalt, Grant J.
- Subjects
Paraneoplastic syndromes -- Physiological aspects ,Pemphigus -- Complications ,Respiratory insufficiency -- Causes of - Abstract
The respiratory failure that occurs in patients with paraneoplastic pemphigus appears to be an autoimmune reaction against proteins in the lungs called plakins. This causes the epithelial cells to separate from the underlying basilar cells. These cells both occur in the tissue that lines the lung passages. Two patients with paraneoplastic pemphigus died from respiratory failure caused by this autoimmune reaction. Paraneoplastic pemphigus causes blistering of the skin and occurs in patients with certain types of cancer.
- Published
- 1999