Penicillamine-induced pemphigus foliaceus-like dermatosis. A case with unusual features, successfully treated by plasmapheresis.

A case of a severe, widespread bullous dermatosis clinically resembling pemphigus foliaceus occurred during treatment with penicillamine hydrochloride in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Histologically, the disease showed changes compatible with pemphigus vulgaris as well as with a bullous drug eruption. Treatment by plasmapheresis proved to be effective in controlling the disease.