Dr Neha Bansal

Definition : Phemphix means bubbles or blisters in Greek. Phemphigus Vulgaris refers to the blistering auto-immune disease of the skin and mucous membranes. (1)

Pathogenesis : It is caused due to the auto-antibodies to the desmogleins (desmoglein 3), which are intracellular adhesion proteins. (1-3) This results in damaged cell to cell adhesions and hence, formation of blisters and ulcers. (2) Even though it is thought to be genetically transmitted, some of the etiological agents considered are garlic in diet, drugs with sulfhydryl radical, cosmetics, Human herpes virus -8 (HHV-8) and is often associated with myasthenia gravis.(2)