ORAL PEMPHIGUS - A CASE REPORT

PEMPHIGUS is a serious chronic skin disease characterized by the appearance of vesicles & bullae, small or large fluid filled blisters that develop in cycles. The term pemphigus refers to a group of autoimmune blistering diseases of skin and mucous membranes that are characterized histologically by intraepidermal blisters due to acantholysis and immunopathologically by an in vivo bound & circulating IgG directed against the cell surface of keratinocytes. Pemphigus vulgaris is the most common form and frequently affects oral cavity. Main antigen is Dsg 3 (desmoglein) but 50% of patients also have autoantibodies to Dsg 1. Dsg 3: Dsg 1 is directly proportional to severity. We present a case of pemphigus occurring in the oral cavity of a 45-year-old male. Treatment with oral prednisolone and topical steroid resulted in remission of the disease. Clinical features, histological features and treatment of pemphigus vulgaris will be discussed. KEYWORDS: Pemphigus; Blisters; Acantholysis; Autoantibodies