Two cases of penicillamine-induced pemphigus erythematosus

2 women, 62 and 69 years old, both suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, were treated for 1 and 1 1/2 years, respectively, with penicillamine. Both developed a bullous eruption which according to clinical and histological picture, immunofluorescence studies and to light provocation, as well as in 1 case to antinuclear antibody findings corresponded to pemphigus erythematosus. In spite of treatment with prednisone and azathioprine, they still keep developing bullae.