Pemphigus Vulgaris
Pronunciation: PEM-fih-gus vul-GAR-is
Also written as: PV
A potentially life-threatening autoimmune vesiculobullous disease causing painful intraepithelial blisters of the oral mucosa and skin.
Full Definition
Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is the most common form of pemphigus and frequently presents first in the oral cavity as fragile blisters that rupture quickly to leave persistent erosions. It results from autoantibodies directed against desmoglein 1 and 3, proteins essential for cell–cell adhesion in the squamous epithelium. Editors in oral medicine must distinguish PV from mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP), which is a subepithelial rather than intraepithelial blistering disease. The clinical and histological distinction is critical and must not be conflated. Authors may refer to the Nikolsky sign, a diagnostic manoeuvre, which editors should leave as a proper eponym and capitalise accordingly.
Usage
Usage note: Do not conflate with mucous membrane pemphigoid. PV is intraepithelial; MMP is subepithelial. Both distinctions affect treatment and prognosis and must be editorially maintained.
In Context
- "Oral erosions preceded the cutaneous lesions by approximately four months in this case of pemphigus vulgaris." — Case report
- "The distinction between pemphigus vulgaris and mucous membrane pemphigoid must be preserved throughout the text." — Editor's annotation