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Copyright 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009
NORD is very grateful to Jean-Claude Bystryn, MD, Professor of Dermatology and Director of the Bullous Disease Clinic, Department of Dermatology, NYU School of Medicine, for assistance in the preparation of this report.
Synonyms of Pemphigus
Disorder Subdivisions
- drug-induced pemphigus
- endemic pemphigus (fogo selvagem)
- pemphigus erythematosus (Senear-Usher syndrome)
- pemphigus foliaceus
- pemphigus vegetans
- pemphigus vulgaris
General Discussion
Pemphigus is a general term for a group of rare autoimmune blistering skin disorders. Autoimmune disorders occur when the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. The symptoms and severity associated with the various forms of pemphigus vary. All forms of pemphigus are characterized by the development of blistering eruptions on the outer layer of the skin (epidermis). In pemphigus vulgaris, lesions also develop on the mucous membranes such as those lining the inside the mouth. Mucous membranes are the thin, moist coverings of many of the body’s internal surfaces. If left untreated, pemphigus will usually be fatal. The exact cause of pemphigus is unknown.
The term pemphigus is a general term for a group of related autoimmune blistering skin diseases. The two main types of pemphigus are pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus. Each type has subtypes. Additional disorders are sometimes classified as pemphigus including paraneoplastic pemphigus and pemphigus IgA. Some physicians consider these disorders similar, yet distinct, autoimmune blistering disorders with different causes and clinical, immunological and microscopic tissue (histological) features. Pemphigoid is a general term for a different group of skin disorders. These other disorders are discussed in the related disorders section of this report.
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Organizations related to Pemphigus
- American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
22100 Gratiot Avenue
Eastpointe MI 48021
Phone #: 586-776-3900
800 #: 800-598-4668
e-mail: aarda@aarda.org
Home page: http://www.aarda.org/
- AutoImmunity Community
None
None None None
Phone #: (91-9) -552-9057
800 #: N/A
e-mail: bandrews@autoimmunitycommunity.org
Home page: http://autoimmunitycommunity.org
- Autoimmune Information Network, Inc
PO Box 4121
Brick NJ 08723
Phone #: 732-664-9259
800 #: N/A
e-mail: autoimmunehelp@aol.com
Home page: http://www.aininc.org
- Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg MD 20898-8126
Phone #: 301-251-4925
800 #: 888-205-2311
e-mail: ordr@od.nih.gov
Home page: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/Default.aspx
- International Pemphigus & Pemphigoid Foundation
International Pemphigus & Pemphigoid Foundation
2701 Cottage Way
Suite 16
Sacramento CA 95825
Phone #: 916-922-1298
800 #: --
e-mail: pemphigus@pemphigus.org
Home page: http://www.pemphigus.org
- NIH/National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda MD 20892-3675
Phone #: 301-495-4484
800 #: 877-226-4267
e-mail: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov
Home page: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info
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