Pemphigus vulgaris

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is the most common form of pemphigus, a group of rare autoimmune blistering diseases. It occurs when the immune system produces autoantibodies against proteins that help skin and mucosal cells stick together, causing painful blisters and erosions of the skin and mucous membranes.

Mouth blisters, skin or genital mucous membrane blisters, swollen or reddened skin around the nails, hoarse voice, nasal congestion, nutritional deficiencies, and nasal bleeding.

If left untreated, pemphigus vulgaris can cause life-threatening erosions in the skin, mucosal membranes, and other tissues. It has also been linked to secondary bacterial infections, fungal infections such as candida, viral infections like herpes simplex, anxiety, and depression.

Triggers for autoantibodies’ attacks on the skin and mucous membrane cells remains a mystery, but on rare occasions may follow using certain drugs such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or penicillamine. The risk of incidence for pemphigus vulgaris is more significant beginning with middle-age and was found to be higher for those of Middle Eastern or Jewish ancestry.

• Critical appraisal of different triggerin pathways for the pathobiology of pemphigus vulgaris- A review (2021)
• Rituximab versus mycophenolate mofetil in patients with pemphigus vulgaris (2021)
• Pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid: Update on the diagnosis and treatment (2020)
• Updated S2K guidelines on the management of pemphigus vulgaris and foliaceus initiated by the european academy of dermatology and venereology (EADV) (2020)