An elderly patient has large tense blisters on the limbs, with intact mucosae, and immunofluorescence shows linear IgG and C3 at the basement membrane. What is the diagnosis?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Bullous pemphigoid
- Step 1: Tense blisters in older people with intact mucosae suggest a subepidermal blistering disease. Step 2. Bullous pemphigoid is treated with topical or oral corticosteroids, and Nikolsky's sign is negative. Answer: Bullous pemphigoid. Why not the others: Pemphigus has flaccid blisters, mucosal erosions and intraepidermal intercellular IgG. Dermatitis herpetiformis shows granular IgA in the dermal papillae. TEN presents with acute widespread necrolysis.
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