Pemphigoid gestationis: a rare case and review

A resistant case of pemphigus gestationis successfully treated with cyclosporine

Pemphigoid gestationis (PG) is a rare autoimmune blistering disease of pregnancy caused by antibasement membrane zone auto-antibodies. The usual clinical findings are multiple pruritic urticarial papules and plaques, target lesions, vesicles, and blisters that occur during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy or in the immediate postpartum period. The disease is often treated with topical corticosteroids and oral antihistaminics. In more severe cases, systemic corticosteroids are needed. Herein, we report a case of resistant PG that responded to treatment with cyclosporine.

Recognizing presentations of pemphigoid gestationis: a case study

Introduction. Pemphigoid gestationis (PG) is an autoimmune blistering disease that occurs in approximately 1 in 50,000 pregnancies. Failing to recognize PG may lead to inadequate maternal treatment and possible neonatal complications. Case Report. At 18 weeks of gestation, a 36-year-old otherwise healthy Caucasian G4P1 presented with pruritic papules on her anterior thighs, initially treated with topical steroids. At 31 weeks of gestation, she was switched to oral steroids after her rash and pruritus worsened. The patient had an uncomplicated SVD of a healthy female infant at 37 weeks of gestation and was immediately tapered off steroid treatment, resulting in a severe postpartum flare of her disease. Discussion. This case was similar to reported cases of pruritic urticarial papules followed by blisters; however, this patient had palm, sole, and mucous membrane involvement, which is rare. Biopsy for direct immunofluorescence or ELISA is the preferred test for diagnosis. Previous case reports describe severe postdelivery flares that require higher steroid doses. Obstetrical providers need to be familiar with this disease although it is rare, as this condition can be easily confused with other dermatoses of pregnancy. Adequate treatment is imperative for the physical and psychological well-being of the mother and infant.

Suspicion of pulmonary embolism during treatment of pemphigoid gestationis

Pemphigoid gestationis (PG), first described in 1872 by Laws Milton, is a rare autoimmune bullous disease of pregnancy and puerperium. Pemphigoid gestationis has been estimated to occur in 1: 50 000 pregnancies and usually presents in the second or third trimester with exacerbation after partum. This disease is caused by circulating IgG1 immunoglobulin against hemidesmosomal protein bullous pemphigoid BP180 (BPAG2) type XVII collagen and less frequently BP230. We present a case of pemphigoid gestationis in primigravida with complications during treatment due to the suspicion of pulmonary embolism.

Pemphigoid gestationis

Pemphigoid gestationis is a rare autoimmune subepidermal bullous dermatosis that occurs during pregnancy and postpartum. Diagnosis is made on the basis of the presence of a subepidermal vesicle on routine histologic examination and of linear deposition of complement along the basement membrane zone of perilesional skin. The disorder is accompanied by severe pruritus and polymorphous bullous skin lesions. Clinical diagnosis is confirmed by histology and positive cutaneous immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy tests (linear deposition of C3, with or without immunoglobulin G, along the basement membrane zone, within the lamina lucida, and localized to the proximal part of anchoring filaments of the epidermal fragment of salt-split skin). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for pemphigoid gestationis antibody (BP180) is commercially available. If local treatment fails, systemic corticosteroid therapy should be administered. Oral corticosteroids are the therapeutic mainstay in pregnancy and postpartum. The prognosis is good for mother and child, except that there is a risk of preterm delivery and of moderate fetal growth restriction. Recurrence is possible during subsequent pregnancies. There is no significant maternal morbidity or mortality.

Pemphigoid gestationis: current management

Pemphigoid gestationis is an autoimmune blistering disease of pregnancy caused by autoantibodies directed against BP180 (type XVII collagen) in the basement membrane zone. This article discusses the current management of this rare disease.

Approach to the patient with autoimmune mucocutaneous blistering diseases

Autoimmune mucocutaneous blistering diseases (AMBD) are a rare group of dermatoses that can be potentially fatal. There are many subtypes and their clinical presentation can vary from being localized to general involvement. It is crucial that a diagnosis be made as early as possible and appropriate treatments are implemented. This article will discuss the diagnosis and available treatments of the major AMBDs. There are very few case-controlled studies regarding the treatments of these diseases. Most of the treatments used for these diseases are based on anecdotal reports. Hence, a synopsis of the conventional treatments and some brief recommendations will also be discussed. A brief discussion regarding "rescue" therapies that have been used for those patients with more recalcitrant cases of AMBD will also be presented.

Pemphigoid gestationis: clinical and laboratory evaluation

INTRODUCTION

Pemphigoid gestationis, also known as herpes gestationis, is a rare autoimmune blistering disease associated with pregnancy. It usually occurs during the second or third trimester, but it may be present at any stage of pregnancy or the puerperium. The clinical, histologic, and immunopathological features of pemphigoid gestationis are similar to those of the pemphigoid group of disorders.

METHODS

We hereby report seven patients who were diagnosed with pemphigoid gestationis and followed at the Autoimmune Blistering Disease Clinic in the Department of Dermatology of the University of Sao Paulo Medical School between 1996 and 2008.

DISCUSSION

Demographic and clinical findings, such as median age, sites of involvement, and gestational age of onset or C3 of our patients, coincide with those described in previous reports. The majority of patients (85%) exhibited complement C(3) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) deposition along the basement membrane zone (BMZ) on immunofluorescence. Herpes gestationis factor (HG) factor was postitive in four out of six patients (67%), and three out of five patients recognized the bullous pemphigoid recombinant antigen (BP180) by ELISA.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed a good outcome of the newborns from pemphigoid gestationis affected mothers, based on the absence of pemphigoid gestationis cutaneous lesions, mean birth weight, and normal Apgar scores and gestational age at birth.