LAUSR

Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is a worldwide chronic autoimmune bullous disease targeting desmoglein 1 (Dsg 1) on epithelial cell surface of skin and mucous membranes, causing lesions in skin but sparing mucosa, since the latter contain compensating desmoglein 3(1) . Several environmental triggers for the autoimmune reaction have been imputed, such as drugs, ultraviolet radiation and mercurium. Human leucocyte antigens class II (HLA-DR4) alleles were linked to the disease in Ashkenazi Jews and other populations(2) . For endemic pemphigus foliaceus in Brazil, named fogo selvagem (FS), HLA-DRB1*04 was shown to have a relative risk >14 for the disease(3) . This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.