Follicular occlusion triad: an isotopic response or adverse effect of rituximab?

ABSTRACT

Follicular occlusion triad is a symptom complex of three conditions with a similar pathophysiology including hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, and acne conglobata. Although the exact pathogenesis of the triad is unknown, it appears to be related to follicular occlusion in areas with apocrine glands. Wolf isotopic response refers to the occurrence of a new dermatosis at the site of another, unrelated, previously healed dermatosis. We present a 26-year-old man with a history of pemphigus foliaceus (PF) who developed large draining nodules with scarring and sinus tracts, compatible with follicular occlusion triad, preferentially at areas previously affected by PF thirteen months after treatment with rituximab. To the authors' knowledge there are no reported cases of follicular occlusion triad or HS manifesting as an isotopic response. However, one member of the triad, HS, has been reported to occur infrequently following the use of biologic agents such as adalimumab, infliximab, tocilizumab, and rituximab for chronic immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (psoriasis, Crohn disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis).