Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma aggravated by hyaline-vascular Castleman's disease in association with paraneoplastic pemphigus: study of the tumor and successful treatment

Abstract The authors have successfully treated and monitored a case of paraneoplastic pemphigus in association with follicular dendritic cell sarcoma aggravated by hyaline-vascular Castleman's disease. The patient was a 56-year-old female who presented with recalcitrant erosive lichen planus of the oral cavity, tongue, and genital mucosa, along with polymorphous eruptions throughout her body. Histological examination of the cutaneous lesions, indirect immunofluorescence on rat bladder epithelium, and western blot of human keratinocyte proteins identified anti-epidermal antibodies in the patient's serum. Positron emission tomography and computed tomography scans found a mass in her retroperitoneal region. Pathology and immunohistochemistry investigation further corroborated the diagnosis of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma originated from hyaline-vascular Castleman's disease. Complete remission was achieved and the patient has been monitored for four years.

Paraneoplastic pemphigus: a clinical, laboratorial, and therapeutic overview

Abstract: Paraneoplastic pemphigus is a rare and severe autoimmune blistering disease characterized by mucocutaneous lesions associated with benign and malignant neoplasms. Diagnostic criteria include the presence of chronic mucositis and polymorphic cutaneous lesions with occult or confirmed neoplasia; histopathological analysis exhibiting intraepidermal acantholysis, necrotic keratinocytes, and vacuolar interface dermatitis; direct immunofluorescence with intercellular deposits (IgG and C3) and at the basement membrane zone (IgG); indirect immunofluorescence with intercellular deposition of IgG (substrates: monkey esophagus and simple, columnar, and transitional epithelium); and, autoreactivity to desmogleins 1 and 3, desmocollins 1, 2, and 3, desmoplakins I and II, envoplakin, periplakin, epiplakin, plectin, BP230, and α-2-macroglobulin-like protein 1. Neoplasias frequently related to paraneoplastic pemphigus include chronic lymphocytic leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, carcinomas, Castleman disease, thymoma, and others. Currently, there is no standardized treatment for paraneoplastic pemphigus. Systemic corticosteroids, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine, rituximab, cyclophosphamide, plasmapheresis, and intravenous immunoglobulin have been used, with variable outcomes. Reported survival rates in 1, 2, and 5 years are 49%, 41%, and 38%, respectively.

Pemphigus vegetans with isolated involvement of the nose and chest: rare variant of pemphigus vulgaris

Abstract: Pemphigus vulgaris is chronic bullous disease that manifests as bullae and erosions of skin and mucosas, with intraepidermal suprabasal cleft formation seen in the histological examination. It has a rare variant called pemphigus vegetans, where vesicles and bullae are replaced by pustular, verrucous and hyperpigmented lesions, mainly in skin folds. The treatment is similar to that for classic pemphigus vulgaris. The authors present an exuberant case of pemphigus vegetans, covering the nose and chest exclusively, without oral or flexural lesions.

Fogo selvagem: endemic pemphigus foliaceus

Abstract: Fogo selvagem or endemic pemphigus foliaceus is an autoimmune acantholytic anti-cadherin bullous disease that primarily affects seborrheic areas, which might disseminate. Brazil has the world's largest number of patients, mainly in the Central-West region, but the disease has also been reported in other South American countries. It affects young people and adults who have been exposed to rural areas, with occurrence of familial cases. Anti-desmoglein-1 autoantibodies are directed against desmosomal structures, with loss of adhesion of the upper layers of the epidermis, causing superficial blisters. The etiology is multifactorial and includes genetic, immune, and environmental factors, highlighting hematophagous insect bites; drug-related factors are occasionally involved. Flaccid blisters readily rupture to yield erosive-crusty lesions that sometimes resemble seborrheic dermatitis, actinic keratosis, and chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus. The clinical presentation varies from localized to disseminated lesions. Clinical suspicion should be confirmed with histopathological and immunofluorescence tests, among others. The progression is usually chronic, and therapy varies according to clinical presentation, but generally requires systemic corticosteroid therapy associated with adjuvant immunosuppressive treatment to decrease the adverse effects of corticosteroids. Once the disease is under control, many patients remain stable on low-dose medication, and a significant proportion achieve remission.

Estudo da imunoexpressão do VEGF165 e do VEGF165B em lesões orais de líquen plano e pênfigo vulgar / Study of VEGF165 and VEGF165B immunoexpression in oral lesions of lichen planus and pemphigus vulgaris

O Líquen Plano Oral (LPO) é uma doença mucocutânea mediada imunologicamente, de etiologia desconhecida, relativamente comum, com prevalências, na população mundial, que variam de 0,22 a 5%. O pênfigo vulgar é uma doença autoimue crônica que pode acometer a mucosa oral sendo o mais comum dos tipos de pênfigo. Entretanto, sua ocorrência é rara, com incidência estimada na população geral de um a cinco casos por milhão de pessoas diagnosticadas a cada ano. O VEGF-A é a proteína angiogênica mais potente tanto na angiogênese normal quanto na patológica. O splicing alternativo do éxon 8 do gene do VEGFA dá origem a duas famílias conhecidas de proteínas isofórmicas, uma desempenhando papel angiogênico, VEGFxxxa, e outra um papel antiangiogênico, VEGFxxxb. Este trabalho se propôs a avaliar a expressão imunoistoquímica do VEGF165 (angiogênico), do VEGF165b (antiangiogênico) em 46 casos de LPO reticular, 23 casos de LPO erosivo e 12 casos de PV, usando como controle 11 casos de hiperplasia fibrosa. Todos os espécimes das lesões e os casos controle foram divididos em e zonas para a análise das marcações, em zona superficial (Z1), média (Z2) e profunda (Z3). Os resultados deste experimento foram submetidos a testes estatístico não-paramétricos com nível de significância de 5%. Comparando apenas as lesões para o marcador anti-VEGF165 foram observadas diferenças significativas apenas nas zonas mais profundas entre as lesões de LPO reticular e PV, e entre as lesões de LPO erosivo e PV. Para o marcador anti-VEGF165b diferenças significativas foram observadas nas zonas médias entre as lesões de LPO reticular e PV; e nas zonas profundas entre LPO erosivo e PV e entre LPO reticular e PV. Avaliando o marcador VEGF165b nos espécimes sem categorizá-los por zonas foram observadas diferenças significativas entre as lesões de LPO reticular e PV. Na análise da correlação entre ambos os marcadores em cada lesão foram observadas correlação positiva fraca e significativa nas zonas média e profunda do LPO reticular e na zona superficial do LPO erosivo. Os resultados do presente estudo sugerem a participação do processo angiogênico na patogênese do LPO e na progressão das lesões de líquen plano oral e pênfigo vulgar, porém outros estudos devem ser realizados a fim de que esses achados, principalmente em relação ao pênfigo vulgar seja fundamentado, uma vez que a presente pesquisa é uma das primeiras que avalia a angiogênese na lesão já estabelecida dessa doença (AU).

Oral Lichen Planus is an immunologically mediated mucocutaneous disease of relatively unknown etiology with prevalences in the world population varying from 0.22 to 5%. Pemphigus vulgaris is a chronic autoimmune disease that may affect the oral mucosa being the most common type of pemphigus. However, its occurrence is rare, with an estimated incidence in the general population of one to five cases per million people diagnosed each year. Angiogenesis plays an important role in tumor growth and in the progression of chronic inflammatory diseases. VEGF-A is the most potent angiogenic protein in both normal and pathological angiogenesis. The alternative splicing of exon 8 VEGF-A gene gives rise to two known families of isoform proteins, one playing angiogenic role, VEGFxxxa, and another an antiangiogenic role, VEGFxxxb. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of VEGF165 (angiogenic), VEGF165b (antiangiogenic) in 46 cases of reticular OLP, 23 cases of erosive OLP and 12 cases of PV, using as control 11 cases of fibrous hyperplasia. All specimens of the lesions and the control cases were divided into zones for the analysis of the immunohistochemical stains, in superficial (Z1), medium (Z2) and deep zones (Z3). The results of this experiment were submitted to non-parametric statistical tests with significance level of 5%. For all immunohistochemical stains the comparison between the lesions with the control group (HF) showed significant differences. Comparing only the lesions to the anti-VEGF165 stains, significant differences were observed only in the deeper zones between the reticular LPO lesions X PV; and between erosive LPO lesions X PV. For the anti-VEGF165b stains, significant differences were observed in medium zones between reticular OLP X PV lesions; and in deep zones between erosive LPO X PV and between reticular LPO and PV. And evaluating VEGF165b stains in specimens without categorizing them by zones was observed a significant difference between reticular LPO and PV lesions. In the analysis of the correlation between both markers in each lesion, a weak and significant positive correlation was observed in medium and deep zones of reticular OLP; and a weak positive correlation in superficial zone of erosive LPO. The present study results suggest angiogenic process participation in the pathogenesis and progression of lesions of oral lichen planus and pemphigus vulgaris. However other studies must be carried out in order that this implication, mainly in relation to pemphigus vulgaris be based once this is one of the first studies to evaluate angiogenesis in the already established lesion of this disease (AU).

Pemphigus foliaceus as a differential diagnosis in vesicobullous lesions / Pênfigo foliáceo como diagnóstico diferencial em lesões vesicobolhosas

ABSTRACT Given the challenge of clinical diagnosis of bullous skin lesions, this report aimed to discuss the histological changes, the presentation and clinical reasoning for diagnosis of these lesions. At the same time, the importance of the pathology was reviewed to identify these clinical scenarios. In this case report, we highlighted the clinical progression of a case of pemphigus foliaceus.

RESUMO Considerando o desafio do diagnóstico clínico de lesões cutâneas de apresentação bolhosa, o presente trabalho procurou discutir as alterações histológicas, a apresentação e o raciocínio clínico para o diagnóstico de tais lesões. Paralelamente, a importância da patologia foi revisada na identificação destes quadros. Neste relato de caso, destaca-se a evolução clínica de um quadro de pênfigo foliáceo.

Gastrointestinal cytomegalovirus disease in a patient with pemphigus vulgaris treated with corticosteroid and mycophenolate mofetil

Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune disease characterized by the formation of suprabasal intra-epidermal blisters on the skin and mucosal surfaces. Infectious diseases are the main cause of death in patients with pemphigus due to the disrupture of the physiological skin barrier, immune dysregulation, and the use of immunosuppressive medications leaving the patient prone to acquire opportunistic infections. We report the case of a 67-year-old woman diagnosed with pemphigus vulgaris, who was irregularly taking prednisone and mycophenolate mofetil. She was hospitalized because of a 1-month history of watery diarrhea and oral ulcers. Unfortunately, the patient died suddenly on the ward. The autopsy revealed a bilateral saddle pulmonary embolism, Gram-positive cocci bronchopneumonia, and gastrointestinal cytomegalovirus infection, causing extensive gastrointestinal mucosal ulcers.

Pemphigus foliaceus with pustular presentation in a patient with psoriasis

Abstract Pemphigus foliaceus is a chronic autoimmune disease of the skin, clinically characterized by scaly and crusty cutaneous erosions involving the seborrheic areas. The patient can eventually become erythrodermic. There are reports of atypical cases of pemphigus foliaceus with pustules and neutrophils, and clinical differentiation from generalized pustular psoriasis of von Zumbusch is difficult. We report the case of a 55-year-old man with a history of psoriasis vulgaris that has developed pemphigus foliaceus with pustules, triggered by withdrawal of systemic corticosteroids. This is the first report associating this atypical form of pemphigus with psoriasis, suggesting that an overlap with generalized pustular psoriasis can occur.

The importance of direct immunofluorescence in pemphigus herpetiformis diagnosis

Abstract Pemphigus herpetiformis is an autoimmune bullous disease, that combines clinical features of dermatitis herpetiformis and linear IgA bullous dermatosis and immunological characteristics of pemphigus, which makes this disease peculiar and this diagnosis rarely suspected in the first evaluation of the patient. The reported case is of a patient with clinically bullous disease similar to dermatitis herpetiformis, whose multiple biopsies were inconclusive, and only after direct immunofluorescence with a pemphigus pattern (intraepidermal intercellular pattern) the confirmation of the diagnosis was possible.

Detection of apoptosis in pemphigus vulgaris by TUNEL technique

Abstract: Background: Pemphigus is part of a group of blistering diseases that affect the skin and mucous membranes. Based on its autoimmune origin, autoantibodies develop in pemphigus that are directed toward cell surface components of keratinocytes. However, some data cannot be explained, such as the lack of a relationship between autoantibody levels and the severity of clinical manifestations, treatment resistance, the presence of inflammatory infiltrates and the potential occurrence of apoptosis as determinants of vesicle formation. Objective: To examine the presence of apoptosis in pemphigus vulgaris by TUNEL technique. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we selected 15 paraffin-embedded tissues from subjects who were diagnosed with pemphigus vulgaris by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The samples were subjected to TUNEL assay and examined under an Olympus BX61 fluorescence microscope. Positivity was categorized dichotomously, and the statistical analysis was performed using the X2 test. Results: Positivity was observed in basal layer cells in 14 (93.3%) cases. In 13 (86.7%) of the positive cases, we noted espinosum and granular layers that formed the blister roof, and in 12 cases (80%), positive acantholytic cells were observed. Conclusions: TUNEL positivity was observed in pemphigus vulgaris, implicating apoptosis in the pathophysiology of this condition, which can help guide the development of apoptotic blockers as therapeutics.

Mucosal-dominant pemphigus vulgaris in a captopril-taking woman with angioedema

AbstractWe describe a 39-year-old woman with an apparent captopril-induced, contact mucosal-dominant pemphigus vulgaris and angioedema, who took captopril during a bout of arterial hypertension. This exposure suggests that captopril and pathophysiology of angioedema stimulated the development of pemphigus vulgaris, which was diagnosed using the novel, indirect immunofluorescence BIOCHIP mosaic, with the modification to detect serum IgG4 autoantibodies. We discuss the patient, who experienced a chain of events leading to the active stage of pemphigus vulgaris, and review concepts of pemphigus vulgaris inducible by drugs and pathological immunity.

Dapsone in the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris: adverse effects and its importance as a corticosteroid sparing agent

Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune disease characterized by suprabasal blisters with acantholysis, which has a fatal course in a large number of untreated patients. Systemic corticosteroid therapy is considered first-line therapy. Adjuvant treatment with the goal of sparing corticosteroids include, among others, dapsone. This drug is not without side effects and its use requires clinical and laboratory control. We present a patient with PV initially managed with suboptimal dose of prednisone, evolving into drug-induced hepatitis after introduction of dapsone.

The value of trichoscopy in the differential diagnosis of scalp lesions in pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus

BACKGROUND: Trichoscopy is becoming increasingly popular in diagnosing hair and scalp diseases. Scalp involvement in pemphigus is common. The scalp may be the first or only site of clinical manifestation of the disease. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze whether trichoscopy may be useful in aiding differential diagnosis of scalp lesions in patients with pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus. METHODS: Trichoscopy was performed in 19 patients with scalp lesions in the course of pemphigus (9 patients with pemphigus vulgaris and 10 with pemphigus foliaceus). In all patients, the diagnosis of scalp pemphigus was confirmed by histopathology. The working magnification was 20-fold and 70-fold. RESULTS: The most frequently observed trichoscopy features of pemphigus lesions were: extravasations (18/19; 94.7%) and yellow hemorrhagic crusts (11/19; 57.9%). Yellow dots with whitish halo were observed in 6/19 (31.6%) patients with pemphigus. White polygonal structures were observed in pemphigus foliaceus (6/10; 60%), but not in pemphigus vulgaris. Vascular abnormalities were more frequent in pemphigus vulgaris, when compared to pemphigus foliaceus, and were associated with a severe course of disease. Linear serpentine vessels were the most frequent vascular abnormality in patients with pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus (77.8% and 30%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Trichoscopy may serve as a useful supplementary method in the differential diagnosis of pemphigus, especially in cases of desquamative or exudative lesions limited to the scalp. Extravasations, yellow hemorrhagic crusts, yellow dots with whitish halo, white polygonal structures and linear serpentine vessels are trichoscopy features which may suggest the diagnosis of pemphigus. .

Evaluation of cases of pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus from a reference service in Pará state, Brazil

BACKGROUND: Pemphigusis a bullous, rare and chronic autoimmune disease. There are two major forms of pemphigus: vulgaris and foliaceus. Epidemiological data and clinical outcome in patients diagnosed in the Brazilian Amazon states are still rare. OBJECTIVES: To study the occurrence of the disease during the study period and analyze the epidemiological profile of patients, the most common subtype of pemphigus, and the clinical evolution of patients. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of medical records of hospitalized patients with pemphigus foliaceus and pemphigus vulgaris in the period from 2003 to 2010 in Dermatology Service of Hospital Fundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará, Belém, Northern Brazil. RESULTS: We found a total of 20 cases of pemphigus during the study period, 8 of which were of foliaceus pemphigus and 12 of vulgaris pemphigus. Pemphigus foliaceus had the predominance of male patients (75%), showed satisfactory clinical evolution, and was characterized by absence of pediatric cases. Pemphigus vulgaris affected more women (66.7%), showed mean hospital stay of 1 to 3 months (50%), and there were three cases of death (25%). The prescribed immunosuppressive drugs included prednisone with or without combination of azathioprine and/or dapsone. Sepsis was associated with 100% of the deaths. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of the disease is rare, there are no familiar/endemic outbreaks in the sample. Evolution is usually favorable, but secondary infection is associated with worse prognosis. The choice of best drugs to treat pemphigus remains controversial. .

IgG/IgA pemphigus reactive with desmoglein 1 with additional undetermined reactivity with epidermal basement membrane zone.

IgG/IgA pemphigus is an extremely rare subset of pemphigus, showing anti-keratinocyte cell surface antibodies of both IgG and IgA classes. Herein, we describe a unique case of IgG/IgA pemphigus with clinical features of edematous erythema and peripheral vesiculopustules. Histopathology showed the presence of subcorneal pustules and acantholytic blisters in the mid-epidermis with neutrophilic infiltration and eosinophilic spongiosis. Direct immunofluorescence of perilesional skin showed both IgG and IgA deposits to keratinocyte cell surfaces and unusual granular deposits of IgG, IgM, and C3 along basement membrane zone. On enzyme linked immunosorbent assay , the auto-antibodies were found to be reactive to desmoglein 1 antigen. Various clinical, histopathological, and immunological findings in our case overlapped with the features of IgA pemphigus, pemphigus herpetiformis, and pemphigus foliaceus. These findings indicate that IgG/IgA pemphigus may be a transitional form between IgA pemphigus and pemphigus herpetiformis, and thus provides insight into the pathogenicity of this rare disorder.

Non-classical forms of pemphigus: pemphigus herpetiformis, IgA pemphigus, paraneoplastic pemphigus and IgG/IgA pemphigus

The pemphigus group comprises the autoimmune intraepidermal blistering diseases classically divided into two major types: pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceous. Pemphigus herpetiformis, IgA pemphigus, paraneoplastic pemphigus and IgG/IgA pemphigus are rarer forms that present some clinical, histological and immunopathological characteristics that are different from the classical types. These are reviewed in this article. Future research may help definitively to locate the position of these forms in the pemphigus group, especially with regard to pemphigus herpetiformis and the IgG/ IgA pemphigus.

Anagen effluvium.

Disturbances of hair follicle cycling lie at the heart of most hair growth disorders, and have dramatic effects on visible hair growth and shedding. The two common disorders due to aberration in hair follicle cycling are telogen and anagen effluvium. Though a lot of literature addresses the problem of telogen effluvium, there are not many reviews on anagen effluvium or anagen hair loss. Anagen effluvium is considered synonymous with chemotherapy-induced alopecia and other causes are rarely considered. In this review, we try to discuss the etiopathogenesis, clinical presentation, differentials, and management issues in anagen effluvium. Anagen effluvium is the abrupt loss of hairs that are in their growing phase (anagen) due to an event that impairs the mitotic or metabolic activity of hair follicle. Chemotherapy, radiation and toxic chemicals, and sometimes inflammatory diseases like alopecia areata and pemphigus are also capable of diminishing the metabolic activity of hair follicles resulting in anagen hair loss. Although it is reversible, and hair regrowth occurs after a delay of 1-3 months; sometimes it can lead to permanent alopecia and can be psychologically devastating with negative impact on individual perceptions of appearance, body image, sexuality, and self-esteem. For some patients, the emotional trauma may be so severe that it may lead to discontinuing or refusing therapy that might otherwise be beneficial. In such cases, a psychosomatic approach as well as empathic consideration of the patients concerns and fears as well as the provision of practical medical-aesthetic and styling tips are equally important and can be integrated in management.

Scanning electron microscopy of acantholysis in pemphigus foliaceus / Microscopia eletrônica de varredura da acantólise no pênfigo foliáceo

We performed scanning electron microscopy of an inverted blister roof in a case of pemphigus foliaceus. The loss of intercellular adherence could be easily seen with low magnification. The acantholytic keratinocytes displayed an irregular and sometimes polygonal contour. Round cells, typically seen in light microscopy, were also observed. The examination of a blister roof allows ultrastructural documentation of the acantholytic changes.

Realizamos microscopia eletrônica de varredura do teto invertido de uma bolha de um caso de pênfigo foliáceo. Com pequeno aumento, a perda da adesão intercelular pôde ser vista claramente. Os queratinócitos acantolíticos demostraram um contorno irregular, algumas vezes poligonal. Células arredondadas, como vistas tipicamente na microscopia óptica, também foram observadas. O exame de um teto de bolha permite uma documentação ultraestrutural das alterações acantolíticas.