الفهرس 
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Abstract
Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a potentially fatal blistering disease of the skin and mucous membranes, characterized by the loss of intercellular adhesion of keratinocytes. In the serum of PV patients, high titres of circulating autoantibodies targeting the epidermal adhesion molecule desmoglein3 (Dsg3), are believed to cause clinical disease by direct binding to and disruption of Dsg proteins leading to acantholysis (loss of adhesion between epidermal cells).
The role of nutritional factors in pemphigus vulgaris has been proved by epidemiogical, clinical, and laboratory data. It should be noted that poor nutrition (due to oral erosions and ulcers which may lead to painful eating and swallowing) is a possible cause for some nutritional disturbances in patients with PV.
Zinc and copper are essential for all aspects of the immune system, and the deficiency of these trace elements may be indirectly associated with the pathogenesis of PV.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible role of zinc and copper, as two important trace elements, in the pathogenesis of Pemphigus Vulgaris (PV).
This prospective investigational study was performed on 50 patients with newly diagnosed PV and 50 age and sex matched healthy control subjects. In both groups, serum concentration of zinc, copper and ceruloplasmin was estimated.
The patients with PV were 21 males and 29 females. Their ages ranged from 34-57 years (Mean45.7±6.6) years. The range of disease duration was one to 11 months and mean disease duration was (6.4 ± 3.1) months, and the healthy volunteers were 21 males and 29 females, their ages ranged from 34-57 years (Mean 46.9±6.4) years. No statistically significant difference was detected between patients and controls as regard age and sex.
The results of our study revealed that patients had a statistically significant lower serum zinc (P<.001, copper (P<.001) and ceruloplasmin level (P<.001) than the control group.
The correlations between the levels of zinc, copper and ceruloplasmin and severity of disease, zinc was highly significant, cupper is significant while ceruloplasmine were not significant.