REVIEW  PEMPHIGUS Free access

Italian Journal of Dermatology and Venereology 2021 April;156(2):142-6

DOI: 10.23736/S2784-8671.21.06810-3

Copyright © 2021 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Clinicians’ pearls and myths in pemphigus

Hazem A. JURATLI ¹ ✉, Pinar AVCI ¹, Barbara HORVÁTH ²

¹ Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany; ² Department of Dermatology, Center for Blistering Diseases, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands

Pemphigus comprises a heterogeneous group of autoimmune blistering diseases, which can affect both skin and mucous membranes, especially oral mucosa. This group of diseases shows usually a chronic-relapsing course. Since pemphigus is a rare disease, the diagnosis is often delayed, because it is based upon the recognition of consistent clinical, histologic, and direct immunofluorescence findings, as well as indirect immunofluorescence, and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Usually the patients are treated for multiple other conditions before starting the correct therapy, leading to a critical reduction of the patients’ quality of life. This review is a succinct compilation of pearls gathered from clinical experience in pemphigus and the myths that may have influenced everyday practice but have been proven false. This review provided a selection of such dilemmas and controversies, focusing on myths and pearls that can help young dermatologist in the clinic, while also dispelling them.

KEY WORDS: Pemphigus, Review; Dermatology