Pathology · single question
Pemphigus vulgaris is a disease of which origin?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Immunologic (autoimmune)
- A. Incorrect. Pemphigus vulgaris is not caused by a virus.
- B. Correct. Pemphigus vulgaris is an AUTOIMMUNE disease. Autoantibodies (IgG) are produced against DESMOGLEIN 3 (and desmoglein 1), proteins in desmosomes of keratinocytes. This causes loss of cell-to-cell adhesion (acantholysis), leading to intraepithelial blister formation. Positive Nikolsky sign is characteristic.
- C. Incorrect. It is not a bacterial infection.
- D. Incorrect. While there is some genetic predisposition (HLA-DR4/DR6), pemphigus vulgaris is not a hereditary disease in the classical Mendelian sense.