Oral pemphigus vulgaris. A report of ten cases

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Abstract
The conditions of 10 patients were diagnosed as pemphigus vulgaris limited to the oral cavity. In 8 patients the histopathologic findings were consistent with oral pemphigus. Direct immunofluorescence demonstrated intercellular substance (ICS) deposition of C3 [complement component] either alone or in combination with Ig[immunoglobulin]G, IgA, IgM, C4, C1q, properdin and factor B in all 9 patients tested. Circulating ICS antibodies were detected initially in 8 of the 10 patients, 9 of whom had positive titers at a later date, without subsequent development of cutaneous lesions. Physicians should be alerted to a diagnosis of pemphigus in patients who have chronic erosive disease confined to the oral cavity. Prompt diagnosis by means of routine histopathologic and immunofluorescence studies followed by early initiation of treatment are warranted.