title: Pemphigus mimicking aphthous stomatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this report is to highlight the case that pemphigus vulgaris (PV) may mimic aphthous stomatitis. Pemphigus classically causes persistent oral ulceration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We report five patients from southern Europe, who presented with recurrent oral ulceration mimicking aphthous stomatitis, but who proved by histology, immunostaining and antibodies against epithelial intercellular substance to have PV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is advisable to assay antibodies against desmoglein 3 in patients who appear to suffer recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) with atypical ulceration for location and in adulthood.
authors.affiliation: Stomatology Clinic, Second University of Medicines and Surgery, Via Francseco Girardi 2, S. Antimo, Naples 80029, Italy. femiano@libero.it
authors.forename: Felice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Femiano
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gombos
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nunziata
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.forename: Crispian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scully
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D051184:Desmoglein 3; D051182:Desmogleins; D051180:Desmoplakins; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000473:pathology; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D013281:Stomatitis, Aphthous / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D051184:Desmoglein 3; D051182:Desmogleins; D051180:Desmoplakins