Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid: is there an association with autoimmune diseases?

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of autoimmune diseases (ADs) associated with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) and analyze clinical, laboratory, and treatment associations between these entities. METHODS: A multicentre cross-sectional study of patients with an OCP diagnosis. The population was divided into two groups according to their association with other ADs or not. Clinical, laboratory and treatment variables were described and compared between groups. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify variables that could suggest the association between OCP and ADs. RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients were recruited, with a mean age at diagnosis of 64.3 years (SD 11.9). Biopsy was performed in 86.8% of the patients. There was a median delay of 2 years from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis. Extraocular involvement was evidenced in 11.5%. The group associated with ADs included 24 patients (27.3%). The most prevalent diagnosis was Sjögren´s syndrome. Hypergammaglobulinemia was associated with ADs and OCP, adjusted for age, sex, smoking, skin and mucosal involvement, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (OR 8.7; 95%CI 1.6-46.8; p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Due to OCP's autoimmune nature, it could coexist with other ADs. This study observed that more than a quarter of the population presented with this association, and hypergammaglobulinemia could suggest it.

MicroPulse Transscleral Laser Therapy in Patients With Glaucoma and Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid.

A non-comparative retrospective case-series study was performed on 6 patients (12 eyes) with a confirmed diagnosis of ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP), treated with MicroPulse Transscleral Laser Therapy (MP-TLT), between January 2018 and 2020, with a minimum follow-up of 2 years, in a private ophthalmology practice with offices in Argentina and Colombia. Mean age was 75±6.3 years (66-83 yrs). The severity of ocular cicatricial pemphigoid remained stable 2 years after MP-TLT. Baseline mean IOP was 19.5±5.9 mmHg (13-30 mmHg) and, 24 months after treatment, IOP decreased to a mean of 13.9±1.9 mmHg (10-18 mmHg). The mean IOP reduction was 25.1% ( P : 0.002). The mean number of anti-glaucomatous drugs at baseline was 3.1±0.7, decreasing to 0.6±0.7, 2 years after MP-TLT ( P <0.001). MP-TLT may be considered as a non-incisional approach to glaucoma care for patients with ocular surface diseases, prospective long term studies are needed.

Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid, Sjögren's Syndrome, and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis as a Multiple Autoimmune Syndrome: A case report.

PURPOSE: To present a rare and novel association of Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid, Sjögren's Syndrome, and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis as a Multiple Autoimmune Syndrome. CASE REPORT: A 43-year-old Colombian female, presented with corneal ulcers, associated with trichiasis. At the ophthalmological examination forniceal shortening OU and symblepharon OD was found. Conjunctival biopsy was performed, evidencing linear deposition of IgG and IgA antibodies along the basement membrane of the conjunctiva, confirming Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid diagnosis. After 12 years, the patient presented constitutional symptoms, xerostomia, and worsening of xerophthalmia. Laboratory tests showed positive Anti-TG, Anti-TPO, Anti-Ro, and Anti-La antibodies, and salivary gland biopsy was consistent with Sjögren's Syndrome. Due to these findings, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Sjögren's Syndrome were diagnosed, defining a Multiple Autoimmune Syndrome. CONCLUSION: A novel association of Multiple Autoimmune Syndrome is presented in this case. Ophthalmologists and other specialists involved in the evaluation and treatment of patients with autoimmune diseases, should be aware of this clinical presentation. A multidisciplinary approach in this condition is important for optimum treatment instauration and follow-up, in order to prevent complications.

Characteristics Upon Presentation of Ocular Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid Patients in Puerto Rico.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics upon presentation of a cohort of Hispanic patients living in Puerto Rico with ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP). METHODS: Retrospective chart review of subjects with ocular MMP at one academic institution and one private practice. Patients with clinical evidence of ocular MMP, along with a positive mucous membrane biopsy revealing linear antibody or C3 deposition in the basement membrane zone, or with a positive indirect immunofluorescence assay were included. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: Eight patients with ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid were identified. The median age upon presentation was 60.5 years; however, 2 patients were in their 4th decade and one in the 5th decade of life. Females constituted 62.5% of the cohort. All patients presented with stage III ocular MMP in at least one eye and 50% had history of trichiasis. Seven out of eight patients (87.5%) had extraocular symptoms for a median duration of 36 months (range 2-144 months). The most common site of extraocular involvement was the oropharynx, present in 87.5% of patients. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that in Puerto Rico ocular MMP most commonly presents in the seventh decade of life. The presence of symblepharon, trichiasis or oropharyngeal mucosal disease should prompt further evaluation and consideration for immunopathological tissue analysis and an IIF assay.

Afecciones perianales no infecciosas, no neoplásicas, del adulto / Noninfectious, non-neoplasic adult perianal affections

Las enfermedades perianales del adulto, de carácter no infeccioso y no neoplásico, son un motivo de consulta poco frecuente. Se caracterizan por la variedad de su etiología y de su sintomatología clínica, y plantean dificultad en el diagnóstico y en la terapéutica. El objetivo del presente trabajo es abordar una patología que plantea la necesidad de una intervención interdisciplinaria. Se incluyen consideraciones anatomopatológicas, clínicas y terapéuticas. (AU)

Noninfectious, non- neoplasic perianal affections are uncommon diseases. They are characterized by the variety of the etiology and clinical symptomatology, posing difficulty in diagnosis and therapeutics. The objective of this paper is to address a pathology that raises the need for interdisciplinary intervention anatomopathological, clinical and therapeutic considerations are included. (AU)

Ectodermal Dysplasia: Association with Anti-Basement Membrane Autoantibodies.

Ectodermal dysplasia (ED) is a group of several genetic conditions with absence or dysgenesis of at least two ectodermal derivatives: teeth, skin and its appendages including hair, nails, eccrine and sebaceous glands. The most important clinical findings in patients with ED are hypodontia, hypotrichosis, and hypohidrosis, which can lead to episodes of hyperthermia. Few reports have focused on the progressive keratopathy in ED. Cicatrizing conjunctivitis associated with anti-basement membrane autoantibodies has been described. We report a series of three ectodermal dysplasia patients with an ocular phenotype typically seen in ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid; conjunctival immunohistopathology revealed anti-basement membrane autoantibodies in all of them, and systemic immunosuppression proved to be effective in improving symptoms and helping to stabilize ocular surface disease.

Síndrome Sjögren y penfigoide de las membranas mucosas en paciente con antecedente de timoma: Reporte de caso y revisión de literatura / Sjögren Syndrome and Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid in a Patient with a History of Thymoma: Case Report and Literature Review

RESUMEN Los timomas son las neoplasias mediastínicas más comunes en adultos. Los pacientes con timoma son frecuentemente diagnosticados con síndromes paraneoplásicos y generalmente están asociados con varias condiciones autoinmunes. El síndrome de Sjögren (SS) es un trastorno inflamatorio autoinmune, que se caracteriza por la destrucción mediada por linfocitos de las glándulas exocrinas, que conduce a la ausencia de secreción glandular, en particular las salivales y las lagrimales; la hiposalivación puede variar desde una ligera reducción en el flujo de saliva con molestias transitorias, a un grave deterioro de la salud oral y malestar psicológico. El penfigoide de membranas mucosas (PMM) es una enfermedad autoinmune crónica, muestra predominante afectación de la mucosa, afectando con mayor frecuencia la cavidad oral, seguida de la conjuntiva, la cavidad nasal y el esófago; intraoralmente incluye gingivitis descamativa, vesículas, erosiones cubiertas por pseudomembranas y úlceras. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar el primer caso de una paciente con antecedente de timoma, la cual, conjuntamente presentó SS y PMM; además evidenciar la importancia del manejo multidiciplinario para un diagnóstico preciso y temprano, ya que así, aumenta la eficiencia y la eficacia de la estrategia de tratamiento.

ABSTRACT Thymomas are the most common mediastinal neoplasms in adults. Patients with thymoma are frequently diagnosed with paraneoplastic syndromes and are generally associated with several autoimmune conditions. Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder, characterized by the lymphocyte-mediated destruction of the exocrine glands, which leads to the absence of glandular secretion, particularly salivary and lacrimal; hyposalivation can vary from a slight reduction in the flow of saliva with transient discomfort, to a serious deterioration of oral health and psychological distress. Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is a chronic, autoimmune disease that shows predominant mucosal involvement, most commonly affecting the oral cavity, followed by the conjunctiva, the nasal cavity and the esophagus; intraorally includes scaly gingivitis, vesicles, erosions covered by pseudomembranes and ulcers. The objective of this work is to present the first case of a patient with a history of thymoma, which, jointly presented SS and MMP; also highlight the importance of multidisciplinary management for an accurate and early diagnosis, as this increases the efficiency and efficacy of the treatment strategy.

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.

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.

An unusual presentation of ocular rosacea.

Rosacea is a chronic, progressive disease of unknown cause affecting the eye and the facial skin. Ocular rosacea is often underdiagnosed if the ophthalmologist does not inspect the patient's face adequately during the ocular examination. Severe ocular complications and blindness can occur if the treatment is delayed because of non-diagnosis of the rosacea. Here, we present a case of ocular rosacea in a 78-year-old Caucasian woman. Based on the ocular lesions, which preceded cutaneous involvement, she was misdiagnosed as having ocular cicatricial pemphigoid initially. This case emphasizes the difficulty in diagnosis when ocular findings precede those of skin manifestations, and rosacea should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of chronic cicatrizing conjunctivitis.

An unusual presentation of ocular rosacea / Uma apresentação incomum da rosácea ocular

ABSTRACT Rosacea is a chronic, progressive disease of unknown cause affecting the eye and the facial skin. Ocular rosacea is often underdiagnosed if the ophthalmologist does not inspect the patient's face adequately during the ocular examination. Severe ocular complications and blindness can occur if the treatment is delayed because of non-diagnosis of the rosacea. Here, we present a case of ocular rosacea in a 78-year-old Caucasian woman. Based on the ocular lesions, which preceded cutaneous involvement, she was misdiagnosed as having ocular cicatricial pemphigoid initially. This case emphasizes the difficulty in diagnosis when ocular findings precede those of skin manifestations, and rosacea should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of chronic cicatrizing conjunctivitis.

RESUMO A rosácea é uma doença crônica e progressiva de causa desconhecida que afeta o olho e a pele do rosto. A rosácea ocular é muitas vezes pouco diagnosticada se o oftalmologista não inspecionar adequadamente o rosto do paciente durante o exame ocular. Podem ocorrer complicações oculares graves e cegueira se o tratamento for adiado devido ao não diagnóstico da rosácea. Um caso de rosácea ocular em uma mulher caucasiana de 78 anos de idade é apresentado. Com base nas lesões oculares, que precederam o envolvimento cutâneo, ela foi mal diagnosticada como penfigóide cicatricial ocular inicialmente. Este caso enfatiza a dificuldade de diagnóstico quando os achados oculares precedem aqueles das manifestações da pele e um diagnóstico de rosácea deve ser mantido em mente no diagnóstico diferencial da conjuntivite cicatrizante crônica.

Penfigoide benigno de las mucosas: presentación de un caso / Bening pemphigoid of the mucous membranes: report of a clinical case

Fundamento: el penfigoide benigno de las mucosas es una enfermedad que afecta principalmente a la mucosa oral y ocular. El daño a la mucosa bucal es observado en la mayoría de los pacientesy cuando se presenta en la gingiva, produce un cuadro parecido al de una gingivitis descamativa. Objetivo: relatar un caso de penfigoide benigno de las mucosas donde el paciente presenta las lesiones solo en boca. Caso clínico: varón de 30 años, fumador, se presentó con diversas lesiones bucales de naturaleza vesiculoampollar, sangramiento espontáneo y provocado e intenso enrojecimiento de la encía. Al examen físico se observó un estado bucal desfavorable, caries, placa dentobacteriana, sarro, obturaciones caídas, recesiones gingivales generalizadas. No existió toma del estado general y los estudios analíticos dentro de límites normales. Se descartó lesiones oftalmológicas. Se discutió el diagnóstico y manejo de esta enfermedad poco habitual en hombres jóvenes. Se utilizó la prednisonapor vía oral, se dio el alta de los servicios dentales y se mantuvo una óptima higiene bucal por parte del paciente y vigilancia estricta del periodoncista. El penfigoide es una enfermedad grave y de larga evolución. Conclusiones: El paciente está en tratamiento, con una evolución satisfactoria.

Clinical and demographic overlaps among immunologically mediated oral diseases: a challenge for clinicians.

This study sought to assess and compare retrospective demographic and clinical data of oral lesions of lichen planus, pemphigus vulgaris, and mucous membrane pemphigoid from the records of the Department of Oral Pathology and Surgery, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil, covering a period of 55 years. Out of 25,435 specimens, these immunologically-mediated diseases accounted for 301 (1.18%) cases, of which 250 (0.98%) were lichen planus, 27 (0.11%) were pemphigus vulgaris, and 24 (0.09%) were mucous membrane pemphigoid. Lichen planus presented mainly as white asymptomatic plaques on buccal mucosa. Pemphigus vulgaris was usually characterized by multiple symptomatic erithematous ulcers on the buccal mucosa. Painful ulcers and/or blisters on the gingiva were the most common presentation for mucous membrane pemphigoid. Desquamative gingivitis was noted for all 3 diseases, but mainly for mucous membrane pemphigoid. Overall, lesions were more frequent in white women >50 years. Oral manifestations of immunologically-mediated diseases are relatively rare, and the correct diagnosis can be a challenge for dentists as the lesions often share similar clinical and demographic features.

Mucous membrane pemphigoid with severe esophageal stricture.

Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is a rare nosological entity. MMP consists of a clinical phenotype in which several autoimmune subepidermal bullous diseases are classified. It occurs predominantly in the mucous membranes and usually results in scarring. Esophageal involvement in MMP is rare and is generally seen in patients in whom lesions are widespread. The most common alterations are multiple esophageal membranes or strictures. In the present case, the authors report on a patient with MMP without any skin lesions and with severe esophageal strictures who went into remission following use of intravenous immunoglobulin.

Penfigoide de membranas mucosas com estenose esofágica grave / Mucous membrane pemphigoid with severe esophageal stricture

O penfigoide de membranas mucosas é entidade nosológica encarada como um fenótipo, que engloba várias dermatoses autoimunes com lesões bolhosas subepidérmicas, ocorrendo predominantemente nas membranas mucosas, com êxito cicatricial. O acometimento esofágico no penfigoide de membranas mucosas é raro e observado em pacientes com lesão disseminada. As alterações mais comuns são múltiplas membranas ou constrições esofagianas. No presente relato, os autores apresentam paciente com PMM sem lesões cutâneas e estenose esofágica grave, que entrou em remissão após uso de imunoglobulina venosa.

Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is a rare nosological entity. MMP consists of a clinical phenotype in which several autoimmune subepidermal bullous diseases are classified. It occurs predominantly in the mucous membranes and usually results in scarring. Esophageal involvement in MMP is rare and is generally seen in patients in whom lesions are widespread. The most common alterations are multiple esophageal membranes or strictures. In the present case, the authors report on a patient with MMP without any skin lesions and with severe esophageal strictures who went into remission following use of intravenous immunoglobulin.

Penfigoide cicatricial, causa poco común de estenosis supraglótica / Cicatricial pemphigoid: uncommon cause of supraglottic stenosis

El penfigoide cicatricial o de mucosas es una patología que afecta principalmente a la mucosa oral y ocular. Sólo en 25% de los pacientes afecta también la piel y en alrededor de 10% de los pacientes compromete a la mucosa faringo-laríngea, produciendo en los casos severos disnea que incluso puede requerir traqueostomía. En el tratamiento del penfigoide cicatricial habitualmente se utilizan corticoides e inmunosupresores. En este artículo presentamos un caso de una mujer de 69 años con diagnóstico de penfigoide cicatricial que se manifiesta con disfagia y se comprueba con nasofibroscopía una estenosis supraglótica. Se discute el diagnóstico y manejo de esta patología poco habitual.

Cicatricial or mucous membranes pemphigoid is a rare pathology that affects mainly the ocular and oral mucosae. In only 25% of patients the skin is affected, and in 10%, the pharyngolaryngeal mucosa, resulting in serious cases in dyspnea that could even require a tracheostomy. Treatment is usually based on corticoids and immunosupressors. In this article we present the case of a 69 year old woman diagnosed with cicatricial pemphigoid, that presented dysphagia. A nasoendoscopy revealed supraglottic stenosis. Diagnosis and treatment of this uncommon disease are discussed.

Penfigóide cicatricial no trato aerodigestivo superior: relato de dois casos / Cicatricial pemphygoid in the upper aerodigestive tract: report of two cases

Penfigóide Cicatricial (Penfigóide Cicatricial de Membrana Mucosa) é uma doença auto-imune inflamatória crônica caracterizada pela presença de bolhas subepiteliais em membranas mucosas e, ocasionalmente na pele. Pode haver acometimento oral, nasal, faríngeo, laríngeo, ocular, esofágico, anogenital e de pele, predominantemente em pacientes na quinta e sexta décadas de vida. O tratamento preconizado inclui corticóides sistêmicos e agentes imunossupressores. Descrevemos neste trabalho dois casos com a doença em atividade, sendo que um evoluiu com complicação séptica pelo uso de imunossupressor e outro que apresentou estenose supraglótica exigindo traqueotomia.

Cicatricial pemphygoid (mucous membrane cicatricial pemphygoid) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by subepithelial bubbles in mucous membranes and, occasionally on the skin. It may affect the mouth, the nose, pharynx, larynx, the eyes, esophagus, anus, genitals and skin; especially affecting patients between fifty and sixty years of life. Treatment includes systemic steroids and immunosuppressive agents. In the present paper we describe two cases with the active disease, and one of them had sepsis because of using immunosuppressive agents and another that presented supraglottic stenosis requiring tracheostomy.

Penfigoide benigno de las mucosas: reporte de caso clínico / Benign pemphigoid of the oral mucosa: report of a clinical case

El penfigoide benigno de las mucosas es una enfermedad autoinmune ampollar. En un 80 por ciento de los casos está afectada la mucosa oral, de ahí la importancia que dicha enfermedad la conozca el odontólogo general y el especialista. El siguiente caso muestra el compromiso de la mucosa gingival en una paciente de 12 años de edad.

Clinicopathological analysis of oral mucous autoimmune disease: A 27-year study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to analyze the main clinical and histopathological features of autoimmune diseases with oral manifestations such as oral lichen planus (OLP); mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP); pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and erythema multiforme (EM). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of 5770 files from the Oral Pathology Laboratory of São José dos Campos Dental School, São Paulo State University (UNESP) comprising a 27-year period from 1974 to 2000. RESULTS: The cases accounted for 64 (1.10%) of 5770 anatomopathological examinations performed over the study period. Among the autoimmune diseases diagnosed, 49 (76.56%) were OLP, 6 (9.37%) were MMP, 5 (7.82%) were EM and 4 (6.25%) were PV. Descriptive statistical analysis was used. CONCLUSION: The initial manifestations of most autoimmune diseases occur in the oral mucosa, an earlier diagnosis and proper therapeutic protocol will delay the dissemination of the lesions, thus greatly contributing to a better prognosis and quality of life of the patient.