Late-onset localized junctional epidermolysis bullosa and mental retardation: a distinct autosomal recessive syndrome

Eponyms and clinical entities from the land of Israel

Seven eponyms have been pioneered by dermatologists in Israel: Brenner's sign, Chanarin-Dorfman syndrome, granulated sweetener packet sign, isopathic phenomenon of Sagher, lanolin paradox, Nakar-Ingber disease, and Wolf's isotopic response. In addition, there are three id reactions described by Israeli dermatologists: leishmanid, pediculid, and scabid. There is also the acronym PEMPHIGUS, which stands for the causative reasons for pemphigus. We celebrate these eponyms and clinical entities, which reflect the impressive progress made by dermatologists in Israel during the past century who have helped to build an academic, vibrant, and dynamic specialty in the Holy Land.

Clinical practice guidelines: Oral health care for children and adults living with epidermolysis bullosa

BACKGROUND

Inherited epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a genetic disorder characterized by skin fragility and unique oral features.

AIMS

To provide (a) a complete review of the oral manifestations in those living with each type of inherited EB, (b) the current best practices for managing oral health care of people living with EB, (c) the current best practices on dental implant-based oral rehabilitation for patients with recessive dystrophic EB (RDEB), and (d) the current best practice for managing local anesthesia, principles of sedation, and general anesthesia for children and adults with EB undergoing dental treatment.

METHODS

Systematic literature search, panel discussion including clinical experts and patient representatives from different centers around the world, external review, and guideline piloting.

RESULTS

This article has been divided into five chapters: (i) general information on EB for the oral health care professional, (ii) systematic literature review on the oral manifestations of EB, (iii) oral health care and dental treatment for children and adults living with EB-clinical practice guidelines, (iv) dental implants in patients with RDEB-clinical practice guidelines, and (v) sedation and anesthesia for adults and children with EB undergoing dental treatment-clinical practice guidelines. Each chapter provides recommendations on the management of the different clinical procedures within dental practice, highlighting the importance of patient-clinician partnership, impact on quality of life, and the importance of follow-up appointments. Guidance on the use on nonadhesive wound care products and emollients to reduce friction during patient care is provided.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral soft and hard tissue manifestations of inherited EB have unique patterns of involvement associated with each subtype of the condition. Understanding each subtype individually will help the professionals plan long-term treatment approaches.

Junctional epidermolysis bullosa of late onset explained by mutations in COL17A1

BACKGROUND

  Junctional epidermolysis bullosa of late onset (JEB-lo) is a rare disease characterized by blistering of primarily the hands and feet starting in childhood. The pathogenesis remains unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To clarify the pathogenesis of JEB-lo.

METHODS

Two patients with JEB-lo, a brother and a sister, were examined using electron microscopy (EM), immunofluorescence (IF) antigen mapping and molecular analysis.

RESULTS

We found subtle changes in IF antigen mapping and EM. The most remarkable changes were loss of the apical-lateral staining of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against type XVII collagen (Col17), and a broadened distribution of mAb staining against the ectodomain of Col17, laminin-332 and type VII collagen. Mutation analysis of COL17A1, encoding Col17, showed a compound heterozygosity for a novel mutation c.1992_1995delGGGT and the known mutation c.3908G>A in both patients. The deletion c.1992_1995delGGGT results in a premature termination codon and mRNA decay, leaving the patients functionally hemizygous for the missense mutation c.3908G>A (p.R1303Q) in the noncollagenous 4 domain of Col17.

CONCLUSIONS

JEB-lo is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in COL17A1, and subtle aberrations in EM and IF antigen mapping are clues to diagnosis.

Herlitz junctional epidermolysis bullosa: laminin-5 mutational profile and carrier frequency in the Italian population

BACKGROUND

Herlitz junctional epidermolysis bullosa (HJEB; MIM 226700) is a rare epithelial adhesion disorder caused by null mutations in any of the three genes encoding the alpha3, beta3 and gamma2 chains of laminin-5, and is mainly characterized by extensive mucocutaneous blistering, recurrent infections and early lethality.

OBJECTIVES

To perform immunoepitope mapping, electron microscopy and molecular analysis of five Italian patients with HJEB in order to complete the clinical and molecular characterization of patients with HJEB collected in the Italian Registry of hereditary epidermolysis bullosa (IRHEB) and to calculate the HJEB carrier frequency in this population.

METHODS

Skin biopsies from perilesional skin of all patients were employed for immunoepitope mapping and electron microscopy examination. Blood genomic DNA was used for mutation analysis in the LAMA3, LAMB3 and LAMC2 genes by heteroduplex scanning, preceded by a search for Italian recurrent mutations. Carrier frequency calculation was performed assuming Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

RESULTS

Two novel mutations in the LAMA3 (p.R782X) and LAMC2 (c.3235delA) genes, as well as three known and recurrent mutations in the LAMB3 (c.31insC and p.R81X) and LAMC2 (p.Y355X) genes were identified. Based on disease incidence reported in the IRHEB and the prevalence of mutations in each laminin-5 gene, the population carrier risk for HJEB was calculated to be one in 375.

CONCLUSIONS

Our delineation of a laminin-5 mutational spectrum in the general Italian population provides a solid basis for expedited diagnosis, accurate genetic counselling and DNA-based prenatal testing for Italian families at risk for recurrence of HJEB.

Cleft lip and cleft palate closure in 13 month-old female with Epidermolysis Bullosa

Skin blistering and fragility are hallmarks of the rare hereditary disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa, affecting mainly the skin but also all mucocutaneous layers and sometimes the aerodigestive tract. Orofacial clefts are among the most common structural birth defects in humans, seen about 2 cases per 1000 births. This case report illustrates the closure of cleft lip and cleft palate in 13 month female with epidermolysis bullosa.

Case report: cleft palate closure in 18-month-old female with epidermolysis bullosa

OBJECTIVE

In a patient with epidermolysis bullosa and cleft palate, perioperative guidelines and surgical management can be unclear. This case report illustrates the occurrence of a skin anomaly often associated with potentially significant morbidity and a cleft palate. Perioperative guidelines to successfully manage the cleft palate closure in these patients are presented.

Normal expression of the 19-DEJ-1 epitope in two siblings with late-onset junctional epidermolysis bullosa

We describe two siblings with late-onset junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) (formerly called epidermolysis junctionalis progressiva). This is a subtype of autosomal recessive JEB characterized by late onset of the symptoms, between the ages of 5 and 8 years. The symptoms are mechanobullous lesions preferentially situated on hands and feet, nail dystrophy, loss of dermatoglyphic pattern, tooth enamel abnormalities and hyperhidrosis. In most forms of JEB a reduction or absence of a specific hemidesmosomal component can be demonstrated by means of immunohistochemical analysis. In this family, all known involved hemidesmosomal components, including uncein, recognized by the monoclonal antibody 19-DEJ-1, appeared to be normally expressed.