[Similarities and differences between Brazilian wild fire and pemphigus foliaceus Cazenave]

Pemphigus foliaceus Cazenave and "fogo selvagem" ("wild fire") show not only common aspects but also important differences. Based on their own experience and that of other Brazilian physicians, the authors demonstrate epidemiologic and clinical differences as well as prognostic dissimilarities. They refer to metabolic and endocrine alterations in fogo selvagem patients, not yet observed in pemphigus foliaceus patients. Finally, they point out that no difference was observed up to now as regards immunopathologic and electron-microscopic aspects.