IN RECENT years some unusual cutaneous reactions produced by the head louse1 and the body louse2 have been described. It is the purpose of this paper to report a pemphigus-like eruption due to the third type, the pubic louse.
REPORT OF A CASE
A. P., a 79-year-old Italian man, was first seen in the dermatology clinic of Rhode Island Hospital on Sept. 11, 1950. He presented a vesicular and bullous dermatosis which was diagnosed as pemphigus vulgaris by the examining physician, and the patient was hospitalized two days later. A carefully taken history on admission disclosed that he had been well until about three weeks previously, at which time he noted several small blisters on the penis and scrotum. As these broke they were replaced by blood-red areas which gradually crusted and fell off. New blisters continued to appear about the inguinal regions and later on other parts.