Positive Nikolsky's sign is associated with which condition?

A positive Nikolsky's sign is indicative of conditions where there is a disruption in the adhesion of the skin layers, leading to a tendency for the skin to blister with slight pressure or trauma. This sign is most commonly associated with pemphigus vulgaris, which is an autoimmune blistering disorder characterized by the production of antibodies against desmosomal proteins. These proteins are essential for maintaining the integrity of cell adhesion in the skin.

When a clinician performs the Nikolsky's test, applying gentle pressure to the skin may cause the epidermis to slide off the underlying dermis, resulting in blister formation. This reaction highlights the compromised integrity of the skin seen in pemphigus vulgaris, showcasing the disease's ability to create blisters due to underlying paths of autoimmune attack on the skin.

In contrast, the other conditions listed do not typically present with a positive Nikolsky's sign. Primary herpetic stomatitis involves viral lesions that do not share the same mechanism of blistering. Kaposi's sarcoma is a vascular tumor associated with systemic conditions like HIV, and while it may present with lesions, it does not create the same skin response as pemphigus vulgaris when tested. Fibrous dysplasia is a bone disorder that does not manifest with