Pemphigus vulgaris
Classification and external resources
OMIM	169610
DiseasesDB	9764

Pemphigus vulgaris is a chronic blistering skin disease with skin lesions that are rarely pruritic, but which are often painful.^[1]:561

It is an autoimmune disease caused by antibodies directed against desmoglein 1 resulting in the loss of cohesion between keratinocytes in the epidermis. It arises most often in middle-aged or older people, usually starting with a blister that ruptures easily. The lesions can become quite extensive. The pathogenesis of the disease involves autoantibodies against desmosome proteins, separating keratinocytes from the basal layer of the epidermis. Transudative fluid accumulates in between, forming a blister. The basal cells appear in a characteristic "tombstone" appearance once they are detached. This is a contrasting feature from bullous pemphigoid, where the detachment occurs between the epidermis and dermis.

Corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive drugs are the mainstay of treatment.

Pemphigus vulgaris is easy to confuse with impetigo and candidiasis. The diagnosis can be confirmed by testing for the infections that cause these other conditions, and by a lack of response to antibiotic treatment. ^[2]

[edit] See also

• Pemphigus
• Pemphigoid
• Skin lesion

[edit] References

v • d • e Vesiculobullous disease Pemphigus (Pemphigus vulgaris), Bullous pemphigoid, Porphyria cutanea tarda, Dermatitis herpetiformis, Bullous lupus erythematosus, Drug reaction

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