What is "pemphigus"

Pemphigus \Pem*phi"gus\, n. [Nl., fr. Gr. ?, ?, a bubble.] (Med.) A somewhat rare skin disease, characterized by the development of blebs upon different part of the body.
--Quain.

n. (context pathology English) A severe autoimmune skin disease characterized by pustules and painful blisters, and which can be fatal.

n. a skin disease characterized by large thin-walled blisters (bullae) arising from normal skin or mucous membrane

Pemphigus ( or ) is a rare group of blistering autoimmune diseases that affect the skin and mucous membranes.

In pemphigus, autoantibodies form against desmoglein. Desmoglein forms the "glue" that attaches adjacent epidermal cells via attachment points called desmosomes. When autoantibodies attack desmogleins, the cells become separated from each other and the epidermis becomes "unglued", a phenomenon called acantholysis. This causes blisters that slough off and turn into sores. In some cases, these blisters can cover a significant area of the skin.

Originally, the cause of this disease was unknown, and "pemphigus" was used to refer to any blistering disease of the skin and mucosa. In 1964, researchers found that the blood of patients with pemphigus contained antibodies to the layers of skin that separates to form the blisters. In 1971, an article investigating the autoimmune nature of this disease was published.