Pemphigus vegetans of Hallopeau: immunofluorescent studies

Immunofluorescent techniques were used in the study of tissue from a patient with pemphigus vegetans of Hallopeau. The findings were typical of pemphigus, confirming the propriety of classifying this entity as a benign variant of pemphigus, rather than a disease of purely microbial etiology. The question is raised whether other types of vegetating pyodermas actually are separate diseases or represent a spectrum of pemphigus with the clinical appearance dependent on the patient's immunity to his disease. Immunofluorescent studies are proposed as a basis for classification.