Pemphigus Vulgaris

A 52-year-old Indian woman presents with a 3-week history of painful oral erosions and blistering of the oral mucosa. She reports that the blisters rupture easily, leaving painful ulcers. Two weeks later, flaccid blisters appear on the flexural surfaces of the arms and in the axillae. On examination, gentle pressure on apparently normal skin results in separation of the epidermis (positive Nikolsky sign). Oral mucosa shows erosions with surrounding erythema. A skin biopsy shows intraepidermal acantholysis with a "tombstone" appearance of basal cells. Immunofluorescence reveals IgG and C3 deposits in an intercellular pattern. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A 48-year-old man from Mumbai presents with a 2-month history of recurrent painful oral ulcers and blistering of the palate and buccal mucosa. Over the past 4 weeks, flaccid blisters have appeared on the chest and abdomen, which rupture easily leaving erosions. He denies recent drug use or food allergies. Serum testing reveals positive indirect immunofluorescence with circulating autoantibodies against desmoglein 3 (anti-Dsg3). A skin biopsy from an erosion shows suprabasal acantholysis with preserved basal cell attachment to the basement membrane. What is the most appropriate initial treatment?

Pemphigus vulgaris is characterized by acantholysis. Which of the following adhesion molecules is primarily targeted by autoantibodies in this condition?

In pemphigus vulgaris, the histopathological hallmark is acantholysis. At which level of the epidermis does acantholysis characteristically occur?

A 58-year-old Indian man with a 6-month history of recurrent oral erosions and painful blisters on the trunk and flexural areas is referred to dermatology. He reports that the lesions started in his mouth and gradually spread to the skin. Oral examination reveals extensive erosions on the buccal mucosa and soft palate. Skin biopsy from an active blister shows acantholysis with suprabasal clefting. Serum testing reveals high-titre circulating IgG antibodies against desmoglein 3. Which of the following statements about the pathogenesis of this condition is correct?