WBR0476
| Author | [[PageAuthor::Rim Halaby, M.D. [1]]] |
|---|---|
| Exam Type | ExamType::USMLE Step 1 |
| Main Category | MainCategory::Pathology, MainCategory::Pathophysiology |
| Sub Category | SubCategory::Musculoskeletal/Rheumatology |
| Prompt | [[Prompt::A 40-year-old female presents to her dermatologist with complaints of several skin lesions. Upon physical examination, the physician notes several intraepidermal bullae with flaccid blisters and an epidermal layer that easily comes off with manual stroking. Which of the following processes characterize the disease in this patient?]] |
| Answer A | AnswerA::IgG antibodies against desmosome |
| Answer A Explanation | AnswerAExp::Pemphigus vulgaris is characterized by IgG antibodies against desmosome. |
| Answer B | AnswerB::IgM antibodies against desmosome |
| Answer B Explanation | AnswerBExp::Pemphigus vulgaris is characterized by IgG antibodies against desmosome, not IgM desmosome. |
| Answer C | AnswerC::IgG antibodies against hemidesmosome |
| Answer C Explanation | AnswerCExp::Bullous pemphigoid is characterized by IgG antibodies against hemidesmosome |
| Answer D | AnswerD::IgM antibodies against hemidesmosome |
| Answer D Explanation | AnswerDExp::Pemphigus vulgaris is not due to auto-antibodies against hemidesmosome |
| Answer E | AnswerE::IgE antibodies against hemidesmosome |
| Answer E Explanation | AnswerEExp::Pemphigus vulgaris is not due to auto-antibodies against hemidesmosome |
| Right Answer | RightAnswer::A |
| Explanation | [[Explanation::Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune dermatologic disease due to IgG antibodies against desmosomes that causes acantholysis, defined as loss of cohesion between the keratinocytes in the epidermal layer. Pemphigus vulgaris is characterized by formation of intraepidermal bullae that cause flaccid blisters with positive Nicolsky's sign, defined as easy separation of epidermal layer upon manual stroking.
Educational Objective:
Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune dermatological disease characterized by IgG antibody against desmosome. |
| Approved | Approved::No |
| Keyword | WBRKeyword::pemphigus, WBRKeyword::vulgaris, WBRKeyword::pemphigus vulgaris, WBRKeyword::IgG, WBRKeyword::auto, WBRKeyword::antibodies, WBRKeyword::antibody, WBRKeyword::autoantibody, WBRKeyword::autoantibodies, WBRKeyword::desmosome, WBRKeyword::blisters, WBRKeyword::blisters, WBRKeyword::bullae, WBRKeyword::acantholysis, WBRKeyword::nicolsky's, WBRKeyword::nicolsky |
| Linked Question | Linked:: |
| Order in Linked Questions | LinkedOrder:: |