Pemphigus vulgaris: Difference between revisions

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Created page with "== Background == * Blistering skin condition of unknown etiology * Associated with autoantibodies targeting cadherins === Drug-Induced === * Penicillamine and captopril * NSAIDs, penicillin, and cephalosporins * Possibly certain foods, though mostly anecdotal == Clinical Manifestations == * Initially presents in oral mucosa in 80% of cases * Followed by cutaneous lesions * Lesions are bullae that rupture leaving painful erosions * '''Nikolsky sign''' may be..."
 
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== Background ==
== Background ==


* Blistering skin condition of unknown etiology
* Blistering skin condition of unknown etiology grouped with other forms of [[pemphigus]]
* Associated with autoantibodies targeting cadherins
* Associated with autoantibodies targeting cadherins


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== Clinical Manifestations ==
== Clinical Manifestations ==


* Initially presents in oral mucosa in 80% of cases
* Initially presents in oral mucosa in 80% of cases, and involves mucosa at some point in essentially all cases
** Erosions on buccal mucosa, palate, tongue, and inner lips
* Followed by cutaneous lesions
** Erosions and enanthema on gingiva
** Pain varies from mild to severe
* Can involve other parts of the upper respiratory tract, including nose (with crusting) and larynx (with hoarseness)
* Other mucosal surfaces can be involved as well
* Cutaneous lesions
* Lesions are bullae that rupture leaving painful erosions
* Lesions are bullae that rupture leaving painful erosions
* '''Nikolsky sign''' may be present, where blisters form at sites of minor pressure or minor trauma
* '''Nikolsky sign''' may be present, where blisters form at sites of minor pressure or minor trauma

Revision as of 01:30, 7 January 2026

Background

  • Blistering skin condition of unknown etiology grouped with other forms of pemphigus
  • Associated with autoantibodies targeting cadherins

Drug-Induced

  • Penicillamine and captopril
  • NSAIDs, penicillin, and cephalosporins
  • Possibly certain foods, though mostly anecdotal

Clinical Manifestations

  • Initially presents in oral mucosa in 80% of cases, and involves mucosa at some point in essentially all cases
    • Erosions on buccal mucosa, palate, tongue, and inner lips
    • Erosions and enanthema on gingiva
    • Pain varies from mild to severe
  • Can involve other parts of the upper respiratory tract, including nose (with crusting) and larynx (with hoarseness)
  • Other mucosal surfaces can be involved as well
  • Cutaneous lesions
  • Lesions are bullae that rupture leaving painful erosions
  • Nikolsky sign may be present, where blisters form at sites of minor pressure or minor trauma

Diagnosis

  • Based on clinical, histopathological, and laboratory evidence
  • Skin biopsy is helpful
    • Direct immunofluorescence can show net-like or chicken-wire pattern of IgG on the epidermis
    • Tzanck smear shows acantholysis

Management

  • Systemic corticosteroids
  • Rituximab and other anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies

References

  1. ^  Enno Schmidt, Michael Kasperkiewicz, Pascal Joly. Pemphigus. The Lancet. 2019;394(10201):882-894. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(19)31778-7.