A pen sketch for oral pemphigus vulgaris: A review

Abstract

Pemphigus is a rare chronic mucocutaneous autoimmune bullous dermatosis. Based on clinical features and pathophysiology the various subtypes include pemphigus Vulgaris (PV), pemphigus foliaceus (PF), IgA pemphigus, and paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP). Autoantibodies against desmogleins 1 and 3 cause pemphigus Vulgaris which results in acantholysis, or the loss of cell-to-cell adhesion ultimately causing potentially lethal bullae and erosion formation. 80 to 90% of patients develop oral lesions that are manifested before mucocutaneous lesions in more than half of patients.Dental professionals are pivotal and can thus diagnose the disease and prevent skin involvement through proper therapy. Treatment should include systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs. Intravenous pulse therapy is instituted in severe cases of pemphigus. This article is an attempt to present clinical manifestations, pathophysiology, and newer medical treatment modalities of pemphigus.