Pathology · single question
A patient with pemphigus vulgaris-like presentation: What are the appropriate etiologies for this condition EXCEPT one?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Hormonal imbalance
Pemphigus vulgaris is caused by: (1) PRIMARY AUTOIMMUNITY (most common — auto-antibodies against desmogleins); (2) Drug-induced (certain drugs like penicillamine, ACE inhibitors can trigger PV); (3) Paraneoplastic (malignancy-associated — paraneoplastic pemphigus). HORMONAL IMBALANCE is NOT a recognized etiology of pemphigus vulgaris.
- A. CORRECT (this is the EXCEPTION — NOT an etiology). Hormonal imbalance is not a recognized cause or trigger for pemphigus vulgaris.
- B. INCORRECT (IS the primary etiology). Autoimmunity — IgG autoantibodies against desmoglein-1 and desmoglein-3 — is the primary cause of pemphigus vulgaris.
- C. INCORRECT (IS an etiology). Drug-induced pemphigus vulgaris can be triggered by medications like penicillamine, thiol-containing drugs, and ACE inhibitors.
- D. INCORRECT (IS an etiology). Paraneoplastic pemphigus is a severe variant associated with underlying malignancies (lymphoma, thymoma, Castleman disease).