Departmental Papers (Dental)
Title
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of this Version
10-2013
Publication Source
Dental Clinics of North America
Volume
57
Issue
4
Start Page
597
Last Page
610
DOI
10.1016/j.cden.2013.06.002
Abstract
Pemphigus vulgaris and paraneoplastic pemphigus are two subtypes of pemphigus that involve the oral mucosa. These autoimmune blistering disorders have antibodies targeted against proteins of keratinocyte adhesion, thereby causing acantholysis. Clinical findings include oral erosions and flaccid cutaneous bullae and erosions. In addition to the clinical exam, diagnostic tests including tissue biopsy, direct and indirect immunofluorescence, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) help to establish a diagnosis. Further malignancy workup in patients with suspected paraneoplastic pemphigus is warranted. Retrospective uncontrolled studies suggest that immunosuppressive agents reduce mortality in pemphigus vulgaris and cohort uncontrolled studies of rituximab, a monoclonal antibody against CD20, suggest it is an effective treatment for refractory patients. Ongoing studies will define its role in early disease.
Copyright/Permission Statement
© 2013. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Keywords
pemphigus, paraneoplastic pemphigus, oral erosions, stomatitis, blistering disorder, acantholysis, rituximab
Recommended Citation
Santoro, F. A., Stoopler, E. T., & Werth, V. P. (2013). Pemphigus. Dental Clinics of North America, 57 (4), 597-610. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cden.2013.06.002
Included in
Allergy and Immunology Commons, Dentistry Commons, Diagnosis Commons, Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases Commons, Stomatognathic Diseases Commons
Date Posted: 30 June 2015