Pemphigus Vulgaris in a Black Patient: Early Recognition of Disease Saves Lives

There is a well-known shortage of racial diversity in medical textbooks and literature contributing to race-based health care inequalities1. We present the case black puertorrican 58-year-old female who developed painful non-pruritic blistering ulcer inner oral mucosa with associated erythema six months prior evaluation. She was misdiagnosed on multiple occasions leading rapid progression disease, subsequently, her death. Lack images scarce describing initial presentation per-skin-tone Pemphigus Vulgaris (PV) patients dark skin color led misdiagnosis, delay treatment, thus, this catastrophic outcome. This report describes appearance PV tone serves as an educational resource by providing rare disease people skin. The purpose fill major gaps literature, highlight importance timely recognizing skin, create awareness among physicians.