Pemphigus and infectious agents

Pemphigus is a group of autoimmune bullous diseases characterized by a loss of cell adhesion and blister formation within the epidermis in the skin and/or the mucosal surfaces. Pemphigus develops due to the interaction between predisposing genetic factors and environmental factors. Among the latter, infectious agents such as viruses and bacteria were reported as preceding or exacerbating pemphigus disease. In this article we review the literature concerning the relationship between pemphigus, viral and bacterial pathogens.