Pemphigus vulgaris is a rare, severe autoimmune disorder in which blisters of varying sizes break out on the skin and on the lining of the mouth and other mucous membranes.
Pemphigus vulgaris occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks proteins in the upper layers of the skin.
People have severe blistering in the mouth and on other areas of the body, and sometimes sheets of skin peel off.
Doctors can diagnose pemphigus vulgaris by examining skin samples under a microscope.
Treatment usually involves corticosteroids or drugs that suppress the immune system.
Pemphigus develops most often in middle-aged or older adults, affecting equal numbers of men and women. It rarely develops in children.
The body's immune system makes special cells that protect the body against harmful foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. Some of these cells respond to invaders by producing proteins called antibodies. Antibodies target and attach to the invaders and attract other cells in the immune system to destroy them. In an autoimmune disorder, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues—in this case, the skin. The antibodies produced by the immune system attack specific proteins that connect the epidermal cells (the cells in the top layer of skin) to each other. When these connections are disrupted, the cells separate from each other and from the lower layers of the skin, and blisters form. Similar-appearing blisters occur with a less dangerous skin disorder called bullous pemphigoid.
(See also Overview of Blistering Disorders.)
Symptoms of Pemphigus Vulgaris
The major symptom of pemphigus vulgaris is the development of clear, soft, and painful (sometimes tender) blisters of various sizes. In addition, the top layer of skin may detach from the lower layers in response to slight pinching or rubbing, causing it to peel off in sheets and to leave painful areas of open skin (erosions).
The blisters often first appear in the mouth and soon rupture, forming painful sores (ulcers). More blisters and ulcers may follow until the entire lining of the mouth is affected, causing difficulty swallowing, eating, and drinking. Blisters form in the throat as well.
Blisters can form on the skin and rupture, leaving raw, painful, crusted wounds. The person feels generally ill. Blisters may be widespread and, once ruptured, they may become infected. When severe, pemphigus vulgaris is as harmful as a serious burn. Similar to a burn, the damaged skin oozes large amounts of fluid and is prone to infection by many types of bacteria.
Diagnosis of Pemphigus Vulgaris
Skin biopsy
Doctors usually recognize pemphigus vulgaris by its characteristic blisters, but the disorder is diagnosed with certainty by examining a sample of skin under a microscope (skin biopsy). Sometimes doctors use special chemical stains that allow antibody deposits to be seen under the microscope (called an immunofluorescence assay).
Doctors differentiate pemphigus vulgaris from bullous pemphigoid by noting the layers of skin involved and the particular appearance of antibody deposits.
Treatment of Pemphigus Vulgaris
Corticosteroids (oral or intravenous)
Antibiotics and protective dressings for ruptured blisters
Often immunosuppressants or immune globulin to reduce corticosteroid use
People who have moderate to severe disease are hospitalized. In the hospital, the raw skin surfaces require extraordinary care, similar to the care given to people with severe burns. Antibiotics may be needed to treat infections in ruptured blisters. Dressings can protect raw, oozing areas.
High doses of corticosteroids are an important part of treatment. They are taken by mouth (orally) or, if the person is hospitalized, may be given by vein (intravenously). If the disease is controlled, the dose of corticosteroids is gradually reduced (tapered).
Giving immunosuppressants reduces the need for corticosteroids in people who have needed corticosteroids for a long time or at high doses. Immune globulin given by vein is another treatment that can be used for severe pemphigus vulgaris. Some people respond well enough to discontinue drug therapy, whereas others must continue taking low doses of the drugs for long periods.
People with severe pemphigus vulgaris may also undergo plasma exchange, a process in which antibodies are filtered from the blood.
Prognosis for Pemphigus Vulgaris
Without treatment, pemphigus vulgaris is often fatal, usually within 5 years. Treatment greatly improves survival, but the chance of dying is still about twice that of the general population. The risk of death and severe complications tends to be higher if people have widespread pemphigus vulgaris, require high doses of corticosteroids or other drugs that suppress the immune system to control the disorder, or have other serious disorders.
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More Information
The following English language resource may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of this resource.
National Organization for Rare Disorders: Information about pemphigus, including links to resources and supporting organizations
