Nivolumab-induced lichen planus pemphigoides

Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) receptor inhibitors, such as nivolumab, are used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancers, melanoma, and other cancers. Cutaneous adverse events (AEs) associated with anti-PD-1 therapy have been widely documented. Although cutaneous AEs often are mild, some patients can develop notable morbidity. We report an 87-year-old woman with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer who developed a bullous eruption on the trunk and extremities. Biopsy of the lesions revealed a subepidermal bullous lichenoid eruption with positive immunofluorescence in a linear pattern at the basement membrane zone, consistent with lichen planus pemphigoides (LPP). The patient improved with oral prednisone and cessation of nivolumab therapy.

Synergy among non-desmoglein antibodies contributes to the immunopathology of desmoglein antibody-negative pemphigus vulgaris

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a potentially lethal mucocutaneous blistering disease characterized by IgG autoantibodies (AuAbs) binding to epidermal keratinocytes and inducing this devastating disease. Here, we observed that non-desmoglein (Dsg) AuAbs in the sera of patients with Dsg1/3 AuAb-negative acute PV are pathogenic, because IgGs from these individuals induced skin blistering in neonatal mice caused by suprabasal acantholysis. Serum levels of AuAbs to desmocollin 3 (Dsc3), M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3AR), and secretory pathway Ca2+/Mn2+-ATPase isoform 1 (SPCA1) correlated with the disease stage of PV. Moreover, AuAb absorption on recombinant Dsc3, M3AR, or SPCA1 both prevented skin blistering in the passive transfer of AuAbs model of PV in BALB/c mice and significantly decreased the extent of acantholysis in a neonatal mouse skin explant model. Although acantholytic activities of each of these immunoaffinity-purified AuAbs could not induce a PV-like phenotype, their mixture produced a synergistic effect manifested by a positive Nikolskiy sign in the skin of neonatal mice. The downstream signaling of all pathogenic non-Dsg AuAbs involved p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-mediated phosphorylation and elevation of cytochrome c release and caspase 9 activity. Anti-Dsc3 and anti-SPCA1 AuAbs also activated SRC proto-oncogene, nonreceptor tyrosine kinase (SRC). Of note, although a constellation of non-Dsg AuAbs apparently disrupted epidermal integrity, elimination of a single pathogenic AuAb could prevent keratinocyte detachment and blistering. Therefore, anti-Dsg1/3 AuAb-free PV can be a model for elucidating the roles of non-Dsg antigen-specific AuAbs in the physiological regulation of keratinocyte cell-cell adhesion and blister development.

Koebner phenomenon: pemphigus vulgaris following Mohs micrographic surgery

Koebnerization of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an infrequently reported reaction. We present a 65-year-old man with Koebnerized pemphigus vulgaris after Mohs microscopic surgery for a basal cell carcinoma. We present this case to heighten awareness of the phenomenon in the dermatological community.

Feline pemphigus foliaceus: original case series and a comprehensive literature review

BACKGROUND

Since the first description of feline pemphigus foliaceus (PF) more than 30 years ago, numerous case reports have been published, while larger case series have remained rare. This large body of information, if extrapolated, could address clinical discrepancies and expand our knowledge about the treatment of feline PF. This manuscript reviews cases of feline PF published between 1950 and 2016 and adds additional 35 original cases to provide further insight into the clinical aspect and treatment outcome of this disease.

RESULTS

Feline PF, while being a primary acantholytic pustular dermatosis, presents most often with crusts and erosions that predominantly affect the face and feet. More than half of cats with active disease exhibits non-dermatological signs such as lethargy, fever and/or anorexia. The prognosis of feline PF is good as the majority of cats rapidly achieve disease control even with the most basic treatment such as glucocorticoid monotherapy. Most PF-affected cats, however, require long-term treatment and, like other autoimmune diseases, feline PF has a tendency to relapse spontaneously or with treatment changes.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, despite the overall good prognosis cats with PF can be given, owners should be informed and prepared for these circumstances, which may reduce the risk of euthanasia in the case of disease relapse, and improve treatment compliance.

Polycyclic annular presentation of pemphigus vulgaris with an eosinophil predominance in two pregnant patients

Pemphigus during pregnancy has a more complicated course owing to the limitations in treatment options and alterations in the severity and presentation of the clinical features. We would like to present two pemphigus vulgaris (PV) cases associated with pregnancy with an unusual clinical appearance exhibiting polycyclic, annular, vesiculobullous plaques with marked eosinophil infiltration in histopathology. To the best of our knowledge pregnancy-associated pemphigus cases with this particular clinical presentation have not been reported in the literature. Changes in the immunologic and hormonal state during pregnancy may play a role in altering the classic clinical presentation and treatment response of PV.

Fogo selvagem: endemic pemphigus foliaceus

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.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as a helpful diagnostic tool for pemphigus erythematosus with equivocal histologic and immunofluorescent findings

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is a sensitive and specific method for the detection of circulating autoantibodies in pemphigus vulgaris and foliaceus. Herein, pemphigus erythematosus with equivocal immunofluorescence and non-diagnostic histology, but confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, is described. As a non-invasive, sensitive, and specific assay with additional utility for monitoring disease activity, this case adds to growing evidence supporting ELISA as the diagnostic method of choice for common and less common variants of pemphigus.

Rituximab-Treated Pemphigus Foliaceus in a Schizophrenic Patient: A Challenging Exercise in Diagnosis, Management, and Follow-Up

Dermatology was consulted in the care of a 58-year-old man with a history of paranoid schizophrenia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a positive purified protein derivative test, and a lack of bathing for approximately 4 years who had been admitted to the hospital because of thick, crusted lesions over an increasing portion of his body. Admitted involuntarily, he was disinterested in the history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing. Comorbid schizophrenia presented a unique challenge because he was unable to participate in his care effectively. His story was told through caregivers. Although mostly compliant, the patient was reserved and indifferent, and had little to add even with direct questions.

Atomic Force Microscopy Provides New Mechanistic Insights into the Pathogenesis of Pemphigus

Autoantibodies binding to the extracellular domains of desmoglein (Dsg) 3 and 1 are critical in the pathogenesis of pemphigus by mechanisms leading to impaired function of desmosomes and blister formation in the epidermis and mucous membranes. Desmosomes are highly organized protein complexes which provide strong intercellular adhesion. Desmosomal cadherins such as Dsgs, proteins of the cadherin superfamily which interact via their extracellular domains in Ca2+-dependent manner, are the transmembrane adhesion molecules clustered within desmosomes. Investigations on pemphigus cover a wide range of experimental approaches including biophysical methods. Especially atomic force microscopy (AFM) has recently been applied increasingly because it allows the analysis of native materials such as cultured cells and tissues under near-physiological conditions. AFM provides information about the mechanical properties of the sample together with detailed interaction analyses of adhesion molecules. With AFM, it was recently demonstrated that autoantibodies directly inhibit Dsg interactions on the surface of living keratinocytes, a phenomenon which has long been considered the main mechanism causing loss of cell cohesion in pemphigus. In addition, AFM allows to study how signaling pathways altered in pemphigus control binding properties of Dsgs. More general, AFM and other biophysical studies recently revealed the importance of keratin filaments for regulation of Dsg binding and keratinocyte mechanical properties. In this mini-review, we reevaluate AFM studies in pemphigus and keratinocyte research, recapitulate what is known about the interaction mechanisms of desmosomal cadherins and discuss the advantages and limitations of AFM in these regards.

Pemphigus Vegetans Confined to the Face and Scalp

A 58-year-old man presented to our department with multiple chronic vegetant plaques on the face and scalp that had been present for 4 months. The plaques were well-defined hypertrophic areas, measuring between 3 cm × 3 cm and 3 cm × 4 cm, that were located mainly on the face symmetrically and on the forehead (Figure 1). The patient did not report itching or pain. There were also dry, crusty, well-defined plaques on the scalp. No other lesions were present on the skin or mucous membranes.

Unusually extensive scalp ulcerations manifested in pemphigus erythematosus

Senear-Usher Syndrome, or pemphigus erythematosus, is an autoimmune skin blistering disorder with an overlapping clinical presentation of pemphigus foliaceus and lupus erythematosus. Lesions typically involve the scalp, face, and upper chest or back. This case study focuses on a patient who presentedwith progressive scalp ulcers, hyperpigmentation, and eroded plaques with overlying hemorrhagic crust. Pemphigus erythematosus was diagnosedwith direct immunofluorescence, demonstrating immunoglobulin G and complement deposition both intercellularly and at the dermoepidermal junction. The patient is continuing treatment with systemicsteroids and steroid-sparing immunosuppressants.

Paraneoplastic Pemphigus in a 34-year-old

Paraneoplastic Pemphigus (PNP) is a rare and often fatal autoimmune mucocutaneous blistering disease associated with an underlying malignancy. It is thought to be caused by antibodies to tumor antigenscross-reacting with epithelial antigens, specifically desmosomal and hemidesmosomal antigens. There are at least five clinical morphologic variants of PNP, with the earliest and most consistent finding beingsevere stomatitis. Diagnosis of PNP requires direct immunofluorescence of perilesional skin and indirect immunofluorescence. Treatment of PNP is difficult and largely limited to glucocorticoids, steroid-sparing immunomodulators, rituximab and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Despite therapies, prognosis is poor. We report a case of paraneoplastic pemphigus in a 34-year old male with severe stomatitis and lichenplanus-like cutaneous lesions.

Immunopathogenic Oral Diseases: An Overview Focusing on Pemphigus Vulgaris and Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid

Pemphigus vulgaris, mucosal pemphigoid (mucous membrane pemphigoid), lichen planus, discoid lupus erythematosus and erythema multiforme are a group of immune-mediated mucocutaneous disorders characterised clinically by the formation of blisters, erosions or ulcers. The oral mucosa is often affected, and sometimes the disease is limited to the mouth. The target antigens, autoreactive immune responses, microscopic features, treatment and prognosis vary from one disease to the other. Treatment aims to eliminate exogenous risk factors, suppress the pathogenic immuno-inflammatory reactions, promote healing and prevent infection. The aim of this article is to provide the general dental practitioner with a succinct overview of the diagnostic, clinical, aetiopathogenic features and characteristics of, as well as treatment guidelines for oral pemphigus vulgaris and oral mucosal pemphigoid. Early diagnosis and treatment could prevent severe consequences of the disease in their full-blown forms.

[Pemphigus foliaceus worsened by drugs in a patient with psoriasis, responding to adalimumab]

Pemphigus foliaceus is a blistering autoimmune disease related to the production of autoantibodies against desmoglein 1. We present a patient with psoriasis and pemphigus foliaceus aggravated by enalapril and amlodipine intake, with successful response of both conditions to adalimumab therapy.

Pemphigus Vulgaris Persistently Localized to the Nose with Local and Systemic Response to Topical Steroids

is missing (Short communication).

Acquired bullous acrodermatitis enteropathica as a histologic mimic of pemphigus foliaceus in a patient on parenteral nutrition

Acquired zinc deficiency can develop as a consequence of poor nutritional intake or from dependence on total parenteral nutrition. Acquired zinc deficiency dermatitis classically manifests with erosions and scaly plaques in a periorificial and acral distribution. We present a case of a woman on parenteral nutrition who presented with bullous acrodermatitis mimicking pemphigus foliaceus histopathologically. This case highlights clinical and histopathologic variants of zinc deficiency that may lead to a delay in diagnosis.

Paraneoplastic pemphigus associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A case report

RATIONALE

Paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) is an autoimmune syndrome associated with neoplasms. The treatment approach principally includes suppressing the immunity, but its therapeutic effect is not satisfying.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We report a case of paraneoplastic pemphigus linked to chronic lymphocytic leukemia in a 63-year-old man.

DIAGNOSES

At first, the patient was diagnosed with pityriasis rose caused by a viral infection. Biopsies for histology and immunofluorescence showed PNP, was treated with immunosuppressive and antiinfective therapy.

INTERVENTIONS

Immunosuppressive and antiinfective therapy were performed.

OUTCOMES

The skin lesions of PNP were alleviated. However, the infections were aggravated and the disease progressed. The patient died of respiratory failure.

LESSONS

Treatment for PNP should be adapted to disease severity as early as possible. Antiinfection treatment should be timely and effective because infections are the most common complication that can lead to death.