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Pemphigus Vulgaris — SCE Dermatology MCQ

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HardBlistering DiseasesPemphigus VulgarisSCE Dermatology

A patient has isolated oral pemphigus with suprabasal acantholysis, intercellular IgG, high anti-desmoglein-3 and absent anti-desmoglein-1 antibodies. Which phenotype is expected?

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Correct answer: D — Mucosal-dominant pemphigus vulgaris

Anti-desmoglein-3 without anti-desmoglein-1 produces mucosal-dominant pemphigus vulgaris. Desmoglein-1 expression can compensate in skin but not in desmoglein-1-poor oral mucosa, accounting for the phenotype.

Reference: https://academic.oup.com/bjd/article/177/5/1170/6749752