Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita is a rare autoimmune disease, characterized by the synthesis of anti-collagen VII autoantibodies, the main component of hemidesmosome anchoring fibrils. The antigen-antibody binding elicits a complex inflammatory response, which culminates in the loss of dermo-epidermal adhesion of the skin and/or mucous membranes. Skin fragility with bullae, erosions, and milia in areas of trauma characterizes the mechanobullous form of the disease. In the inflammatory form of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, urticarial inflammatory plaques with tense bullae, similar to bullous pemphigoid, or mucosal lesions can determine permanent scars and loss of functionality in the ocular, oral, esophageal, and urogenital regions. Due to the similarity of the clinical findings of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita with other diseases of the pemphigoid group and with porphyria cutanea tarda, the diagnosis is currently confirmed mainly based on the clinical correlation with histopathological findings (pauci-inflammatory subepidermal cleavage or with a neutrophilic infiltrate) and the demonstration of the presence of anti-collagen VII IgG in situ by direct immunofluorescence, or circulating anti-collagen VII IgG through indirect immunofluorescence and/or ELISA. There is no specific therapy for epidermolysis bullosa acquisita and the response to treatment is variable, usually with complete remission in children and a worse prognosis in adults with mucosal involvement. Systemic corticosteroids and immunomodulators (colchicine and dapsone) are alternatives for the treatment of mild forms of the disease, while severe forms require the use of corticosteroid therapy associated with immunosuppressants, intravenous immunoglobulin, and rituximab.

Penfigoide ampollar por teneligliptina / Teneligliptin-induced bullous pemphigoid

El Penfigoide Ampollar por fármacos es una variedad de penfigoide ampollar en la que un medicamento actúa como causa o desencadenante de la enfermedad. Clínicamente se manifiesta como ampollas tensas de contenido seroso localizadas fundamentalmente en abdomen, miembros superiores y raíz de muslos. El estudio histopatológico evidencia ampollas subepidérmicas e infiltrado dérmico mixto con eosinófilos. La inmunofluorescencia directa de piel sana perilesional muestra depósitos lineales de IgG y/o C3. Sin embargo, en hasta 15% de los casos puede ser negativa. Los pacientes diabéticos que reciben tratamiento con fármacos del grupo de los inhibidores de la dipeptidilpeptidasa 4, también conocidos como gliptinas, tienen 3 veces más riesgo de desarrollar esta patología. El tiempo de latencia entre el inicio de la medicación y la aparición de los síntomas es variable, con una media de 10 meses. El tratamiento radica en la suspensión inmediata del fármaco causal y la administración de prednisona oral 0,5 mg/kg/día. El tiempo medio de respuesta es de 10 días. Se presenta un varón de 82 años con una dermatosis ampollar pruriginosa de 3 semanas de evolución posterior al inicio de teneligliptina, cuyo estudio histopatológico fue característico de penfigoide ampollar, y que evolucionó satisfactoriamente al suspender el hipoglucemiante oral, sin aparición de nuevas lesiones a más de un año de seguimiento clínico

Drug-induced bullous pemphigoid is a variety of bullous pemphigoid in which a drug is the cause of the disease. It manifests as serous tense blisters located mainly on the abdomen, upper limbs and root of the tights. The histopathology shows subepidermal bullae and mixed dermal infiltrate with eosinophils. Direct immunofluorescence of healthy perilesional skin shows linear IgG and/or C3 deposits. However, it can be negative in up to 15% of the cases. Diabetic patients receiving dipeptidylpeptidase 4 inhibitors have a 3 times increased risk of developing drug-induced bullous pemphigoid. The mean time between the beginning of the medication and the appearance of the dermatosis is 10 months. Immediate suspension of the offending drug and administration of prednisone 0,5 mg/kg/day is the standard treatment. Average response time is 10 days. We present an 82-year-old-man with a 3-week itchy bullous dermatosis that started 8 months after treatment with teneligliptin, whose histopathological study resembled bullous pemphigoid, and which evolved satisfactorily when the drug was discontinued. No new lesions have been detected after more than one year of clinical follow-up. Key words: bullous pemphigoid, drug-induced bullous pemphigoid, gliptins, teneligliptin, dipeptidylpeptidase 4 inhibitors

Penfigoide gestacional y erupción ampollar en el recién nacido / Bullous pemphygoid and blisters in the newborn

El penfigoide gestacional es una dermatosis rara, que se presenta durante el embarazo. Se caracteriza por una respuesta autoinmune contra las proteínas de los hemidesmosomas, que genera un clivaje entre la epidermis y la dermis tanto de la piel como de las mucosas. Clínicamente, presenta prurito intenso, placas y pápulas eritematosas, que evolucionan a apollas con distribución en el abdomen y los miembros. Como complicaciones, en el feto puede generar parto prematuro y bajo peso para la edad gestacional, con alto riesgo de mortalidad. (AU)

Gestational pemphygoid is a rare, autoimmune dermatosis that occurs during pregnancy. It is characterized by an autoimmune response against hemidesmosome proteins, generating a cleavage between the epidermis and the dermis in the skin and mucous membranes. Clinically it presents with intense pruritus, plaques and erythematous papules that evolve to blisters that are distributed mainly in the abdomen and limbs. The complications are preterm birth and low weight for gestational age, with high risk of mortality. (AU)

Consensus on the treatment of autoimmune bullous dermatoses: bullous pemphigoid, mucous membrane pemphigoid and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita - Brazilian Society of Dermatology.

Bullous pemphigoid, mucous membrane pemphigoid and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita are subepidermal autoimmune blistering diseases whose antigenic target is located at the basement membrane zone. Mucous membrane pemphigoid and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita can evolve with cicatricial mucosal involvement, leading to respiratory, ocular and/or digestive sequelae with important morbidity. For each of these dermatoses, a literature review covering all therapeutic options was performed. A flowchart, based on the experience and joint discussion among the authors of this consensus, was constructed to provide treatment orientation for these diseases in Brazil. In summary, in the localized, low-risk or non-severe forms, drugs that have immunomodulatory action such as dapsone, doxycycline among others may be a therapeutic option. Topical treatment with corticosteroids or immunomodulators may also be used. Systemic corticosteroid therapy continues to be the treatment of choice for severe forms, especially those involving ocular, laryngeal-pharyngeal and/or esophageal mucosal involvement, as may occur in mucous membrane pemphigoid and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. Several immunosuppressants are used as adjuvant alternatives. In severe and recalcitrant cases, intravenous immunoglobulin is an alternative that, while expensive, may be used. Immunobiological drugs such as rituximab are promising drugs in this area. Omalizumab has been used in bullous pemphigoid.

Bullous pemphigoid.

Bullous pemphigoid is the most frequent autoimmune bullous disease and mainly affects elderly individuals. Increase in incidence rates in the past decades has been attributed to population aging, drug-induced cases and improvement in the diagnosis of the nonbullous presentations of the disease. A dysregulated T cell immune response and synthesis of IgG and IgE autoantibodies against hemidesmosomal proteins (BP180 and BP230) lead to neutrophil chemotaxis and degradation of the basement membrane zone. Bullous pemphigoid classically manifests with tense blisters over urticarial plaques on the trunk and extremities accompanied by intense pruritus. Mucosal involvement is rarely reported. Diagnosis relies on (1) the histopathological evaluation demonstrating eosinophilic spongiosis or a subepidermal detachment with eosinophils; (2) the detection of IgG and/or C3 deposition at the basement membrane zone using direct or indirect immunofluorescence assays; and (3) quantification of circulating autoantibodies against BP180 and/or BP230 using ELISA. Bullous pemphigoid is often associated with multiple comorbidities in elderly individuals, especially neurological disorders and increased thrombotic risk, reaching a 1-year mortality rate of 23%. Treatment has to be tailored according to the patient's clinical conditions and disease severity. High potency topical steroids and systemic steroids are the current mainstay of therapy. Recent randomized controlled studies have demonstrated the benefit and safety of adjuvant treatment with doxycycline, dapsone and immunosuppressants aiming a reduction in the cumulative steroid dose and mortality.

Bullous pemphigoid associated with psoriasis: a good response to methotrexate.

Psoriasis has been associated with various autoimmune diseases, however, its relation to bullous diseases is infrequent. Of these, bullous pemphigoid appears as the main associated entity, even though both conditions differ considerably in demographic and clinical aspects. We report the case of a 42-year-old female patient, with long-standing psoriasis who consulted due to the exacerbation of psoriatic plaques associated with generalized bullous lesions on the skin and oral mucosa, with one-week duration. With clinical signs and histopathological findings compatible with bullous pemphigoid associated with psoriasis, we decided to treat her with methotrexate 10mg a week. The patient had an excellent response after two months of treatment.

Consensus on the treatment of autoimmune bullous dermatoses: bullous pemphigoid, mucous membrane pemphigoid and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita - Brazilian Society of Dermatology

Abstract: Bullous pemphigoid, mucous membrane pemphigoid and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita are subepidermal autoimmune blistering diseases whose antigenic target is located at the basement membrane zone. Mucous membrane pemphigoid and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita can evolve with cicatricial mucosal involvement, leading to respiratory, ocular and/or digestive sequelae with important morbidity. For each of these dermatoses, a literature review covering all therapeutic options was performed. A flowchart, based on the experience and joint discussion among the authors of this consensus, was constructed to provide treatment orientation for these diseases in Brazil. In summary, in the localized, low-risk or non-severe forms, drugs that have immunomodulatory action such as dapsone, doxycycline among others may be a therapeutic option. Topical treatment with corticosteroids or immunomodulators may also be used. Systemic corticosteroid therapy continues to be the treatment of choice for severe forms, especially those involving ocular, laryngeal-pharyngeal and/or esophageal mucosal involvement, as may occur in mucous membrane pemphigoid and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. Several immunosuppressants are used as adjuvant alternatives. In severe and recalcitrant cases, intravenous immunoglobulin is an alternative that, while expensive, may be used. Immunobiological drugs such as rituximab are promising drugs in this area. Omalizumab has been used in bullous pemphigoid.

Bullous pemphigoid associated with psoriasis: a good response to methotrexate

Abstract Psoriasis has been associated with various autoimmune diseases, however, its relation to bullous diseases is infrequent. Of these, bullous pemphigoid appears as the main associated entity, even though both conditions differ considerably in demographic and clinical aspects. We report the case of a 42-year-old female patient, with long-standing psoriasis who consulted due to the exacerbation of psoriatic plaques associated with generalized bullous lesions on the skin and oral mucosa, with one-week duration. With clinical signs and histopathological findings compatible with bullous pemphigoid associated with psoriasis, we decided to treat her with methotrexate 10mg a week. The patient had an excellent response after two months of treatment.

Bullous pemphigoid

Abstract: Bullous pemphigoid is the most frequent autoimmune bullous disease and mainly affects elderly individuals. Increase in incidence rates in the past decades has been attributed to population aging, drug-induced cases and improvement in the diagnosis of the nonbullous presentations of the disease. A dysregulated T cell immune response and synthesis of IgG and IgE autoantibodies against hemidesmosomal proteins (BP180 and BP230) lead to neutrophil chemotaxis and degradation of the basement membrane zone. Bullous pemphigoid classically manifests with tense blisters over urticarial plaques on the trunk and extremities accompanied by intense pruritus. Mucosal involvement is rarely reported. Diagnosis relies on (1) the histopathological evaluation demonstrating eosinophilic spongiosis or a subepidermal detachment with eosinophils; (2) the detection of IgG and/or C3 deposition at the basement membrane zone using direct or indirect immunofluorescence assays; and (3) quantification of circulating autoantibodies against BP180 and/or BP230 using ELISA. Bullous pemphigoid is often associated with multiple comorbidities in elderly individuals, especially neurological disorders and increased thrombotic risk, reaching a 1-year mortality rate of 23%. Treatment has to be tailored according to the patient's clinical conditions and disease severity. High potency topical steroids and systemic steroids are the current mainstay of therapy. Recent randomized controlled studies have demonstrated the benefit and safety of adjuvant treatment with doxycycline, dapsone and immunosuppressants aiming a reduction in the cumulative steroid dose and mortality.

Bullous pemphigoid: can it occur in pediatric age? / Penfigoide ampolloso: ¿puede ocurrir en la edad pediátrica?

El penfigoide ampollar en niños es extremadamen-te infrecuente. La mayoría de los casos ocurre en adultos mayores, resultando fundamental conside-rar que en medicina todo es posible y esta enferme-dad igualmente podría presentarse en niños, por lo que se debe prestar especial atención a sus manifes-taciones clínicas, realizar los exámenes apropiados para descartar diagnósticos diferenciales y de esta forma, iniciar un tratamiento eficaz en el momen-to preciso. A continuación, presentamos un caso clínico de penfigoide ampollar que ocurrió en un paciente pediátrico atendido en nuestro hospital universitario.

Bullous pemphigoid in children is extremely in-frequent. Most of them predominate in elderly persons, resulting fundamental to consider that in medicine everything could be possible, and this disease could occur in children, so we must pay special attention to its clinical manifestations, to take the appropriate exams to rule out differen-tial diagnoses and in this way perform an effective treatment at the precise moment. Following, we present a clinical case of bullous pemphigoid that occurred in a pediatric patient attended at our university hospital.

Bullous pemphigoid: a series of 50 cases / Penfigoide bolhoso: série de 50 casos

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to analyze data on the epidemiology, treatment and course of bullous pemphigoid in 50 patients and compare findings to the data already available in the literature. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively through medical records and analyzed statistically. A review of the literature was conducted using articles indexed in the MEDLINE (via PubMed) database. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis was 71.1 years. Comorbidities were observed in almost all cases, and the association between bullous pemphigoid and neurological diseases was present in 18% of patients, in agreement with recent data in the literature. CONCLUSION: Care of comorbidities, especially neurological diseases, which increase the mortality of patients with bullous pemphigoid, is thus essential

OBJETIVOS: Este estudo tem por objetivo analisar dados epidemiológicos, de tratamento e evolução de 50 pacientes com diagnóstico de penfigoide bolhoso e comparar aos dados já existentes na literatura. MÉTODOS: Os dados foram coletados retrospectivamente por meio de prontuários médicos e analisados estatisticamente. Foi realizada revisão da literatura mediante artigos indexados na base de dados MEDLINE (via PubMed). RESULTADOS: A média de idade ao diagnóstico foi de 71,1 anos. Comorbidades foram observadas em quase a totalidade dos casos, e a associação entre penfigoide bolhoso e doenças neurológicas esteve presente em 18% dos pacientes, em concordância com dados recentes da literatura. CONCLUSÃO: Ressaltamos a atenção às comorbidades, sobretudo doenças neurológicas, que aumentam a mortalidade dos pacientes com penfigóide bolhoso

Bullous pemphigoid associated with milia, increased serum IgE, autoantibodies against desmogleins, and refractory treatment in a young patient.

Bullous pemphigoid is a blistering autoimmune disease characterized by two hemidesmosomal proteins (anti-BP180 and 230). Pemphigus, by contrast, is characterized by two autoantibodies (anti-desmoglein 1 and 3). Coexistence of autoantibodies of bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus in a patient is rare. A 25-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital, reporting a 3-month history of multiple papules, vesicles, and erosions over an extensive erythema on the entire body. Laboratory tests showed high levels of serum IgE, anti-BP180 antibodies, and anti-desmoglein 1 and 3. Histopathologic and immunopathologic features were characterized by bullous pemphigoid. No improvement was seen with systemic corticosteroid therapy, however, pulse corticosteriod therapy combined with methylprednisolone, immunosuppressants, immunomodulators, and plasmapheresis led to the recovery of his condition with numerous milia.

Dyshidrosiform pemphigoid localized on the hands in a child: a rare occurrence.

Dyshidrosiform pemphigoid is an acquired autoimmune variant of bullous pemphigoid with persistent vesicobullous eruptions localized on the palms or soles, or both. It generally occurs in the elderly and is rarely reported in childhood. Hereby, we describe the first case of dyshidrosiform pemphigoid in a 12-year-old child, which was limited to the dorsal hands and treated successfully with dapsone (diaminodiphenyl sulfone). Along with this report, we also review the clinical features of various types of dyshidrosiform pemphigoid.