ABSTRACT Desquamative gingivitis is characterised by desquamation of the gingiva with painful erosion and ulceration. It is predominantly a manifestation of several vesiculobullous diseases. Delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis often led to disease progression. Pemphigus vulgaris is a chronic, life-threatening autoimmune disease resulting in blistering of the mucosa and skin. Oral lesions normally preceded skin lesions. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent involvement of the skin, as the treatment and prognosis varies with extraoral involvement. Clinical, histopathological examination and direct immunofluorescent are necessary for the diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris. Treatment of desquamative gingivitis involves improving oral hygiene, reduce irritation to the lesions and specific therapy to the underlying disease. This paper describes a case of a patient with desquamative gingivitis for one year, whom is ultimately diagnosed as having pemphigus vulgaris.
Gingivitis--pathology ; Pemphigus