Pemphigoid gestationis: Clinical and histologic features of twenty-three patients

Atopic Dermatitis: Fertility, Pregnancy, and Treatment Perspectives

Hormonal and immunologic changes during pregnancy can contribute to the development of different dermatoses, the most common of which is atopic eruption of pregnancy (AEP). Of atopic dermatitis (AD) cases during pregnancy, 80% are new-onset presentations, while 20% represent recurrences or exacerbations of preexisting disease. Evidence on the effects of previous AD on fertility is limited. Different factors influence women's desire to conceive in this setting, and it has been hypothesized that barrier defects and systemic inflammation could contribute to biologic infertility, although more data are needed. Clinical practice suggests a tendency toward undertreatment in pregnant woman due to concerns about potential effects on obstetric and fetal outcomes. However, pregnant women should be offered adequate and safe treatments, preferably on an individual basis. The aim of this review was to summarize the evidence on disease course in pregnant women with AD and the challenges associated with its diagnosis and management. We also review the current evidence on the use of conventional and novel systemic therapies for AD in this population.

Autoimmune bullous diseases in pregnancy: an overview of pathogenesis, clinical presentations, diagnostics and available therapies

Autoimmune bullous diseases (AIBDs) are rare organ-specific diseases characterized by the appearance of blisters and erosions on the skin and mucous membranes. These dermatoses are marked by the development of autoantibodies targeting the autoantigens located in intercellular junctions, i.e., between keratinocytes or in the basement membrane area. Therefore, the fundamental division of AIBDs into the pemphigus and pemphigoid groups exists. Although AIBDs are uncommon in the general population, their overall incidence is somewhat higher in women of all ages, for which a pregnant women can be likely affected too. While the pemphigoid gestationis is exclusive bullous dermatosis of pregnancy, the other AIBDs can also start or worsen during this period. The appearance of AIBDs in childbearing women is a particularly sensitive situation requiring exceptional clinicians' caution due to the possibility of pregnancy complications with adverse effects and risks to the mother and the child. Also, there are numerous management difficulties in the period of pregnancy and lactation related to the drugs' choice and safety. This paper aimed to outline the pathophysiologic mechanisms, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approach and therapy of the most commonly recognized AIBDs in pregnancy.

Histopathological features of pemphigoid gestationis and polymorphic eruption of pregnancy: A blinded retrospective comparative study of 31 cases

BACKGROUND

Pemphigoid gestationis (PG) and polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP) are pregnancy-related dermatoses. Definitive diagnosis often relies upon histopathology and direct immunofluorescence (DIF). PG is associated with fetal and neonatal risks, while PEP confers minimal risk.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to compare histopathologic features to determine key differentiators.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of PG and PEP cases, with accompanying DIF, conducted from 1995 to 2020. Skin biopsies were examined independently in a blinded fashion by two dermatopathologists for a list of histopathological features.

RESULTS

Twenty-one cases of PG and 10 cases of PEP were identified. PG had significantly denser eosinophils than PEP (mean 155 vs. 48 cells/5 hpf; p < 0.018). PG was also noted to have eosinophilic spongiosis and eosinophils at the dermal-epidermal junction more frequently compared to PEP (80% PG vs. 10% PEP; p < 0.001). A mean cutoff value of 86 eosinophils and a mean optimal sensitivity and specificity of 81% and 83%, respectively, for eosinophils density's diagnostic power of PEP versus PG were achieved. Subepithelial separation was exclusively seen in PG (40% vs. 0%; p < 0.007).

CONCLUSION

Eosinophilic spongiosis, eosinophilic epitheliotropism, and dense superficial dermal eosinophils were diagnostic of PG. Given overlapping clinicopathologic features, however, DIF results with clinicopathologic correlation, remain the gold standard.

Recognizing, Diagnosing, and Managing Pregnancy Dermatoses

Pregnancy dermatoses are inflammatory skin disorders that occur during pregnancy or immediately postpartum. This heterogenous group of disorders includes pemphigoid gestationis, polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, atopic eruption of pregnancy, and pustular psoriasis of pregnancy. In this article, we provide a comprehensive literature review of each condition focusing on nomenclature, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, maternal risk, fetal risk, and treatment. We aim to increase awareness and help clinicians recognize, diagnose, and manage these unique conditions.

Maternal term pruritus and long-term neuropsychiatric hospitalizations of the offspring

PURPOSE

Pruritus during pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal, pregnancy, and neonatal outcomes. We opted to assess the association between term pruritus and long-term neuropsychiatric hospitalizations of the offspring.

METHODS

In a population-based retrospective cohort study, the incidence of long-term neuropsychiatric hospitalizations was compared between offspring born to women with or without pruritus at term. Neuropsychiatric morbidity was assessed up to the age of 18 years according to ICD-9 codes associated with hospitalization of the offspring. A Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to compare cumulative neuropsychiatric hospitalizations incidence and Cox proportional hazards models were used to control for confounders. The study included 226,918 deliveries of which 600 (0.26%) were in women with term pruritus.

RESULTS

Offspring born to women with pruritus exhibited a higher rate of long-term neuropsychiatric hospitalizations, specifically due to developmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Kaplan-Meier survival curve demonstrated a significantly higher cumulative incidence of long-term neuropsychiatric hospitalizations in offspring of women with pruritus. Using several Cox proportional hazards models, being born to a woman with pruritus was independently associated with an increased risk of long-term neuropsychiatric hospitalizations.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal term pruritus was found to be independently associated with long-term neuropsychiatric hospitalizations of the offspring.

Pruritus in Pregnancy

Pruritus in pregnancy is a common and burdensome symptom that may be a first sign of a pregnancy-specific pruritic disease (atopic eruption of pregnancy, polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, pemphigoid gestationis, and intrahepatic cholestasis in pregnancy) or a dermatosis coinciding with pregnancy by chance. Despite its high prevalence, pruritus is often underrated by physicians, and data regarding the safety profiles of drugs for pruritus are very limited. In this review, we illustrate the epidemiology, possible pathophysiology, clinical characteristics, and diagnostic workup of various pregnancy-related diseases and discuss antipruritic treatments. The prevalence of pruritus in pregnancy demonstrates the importance of symptom recognition and the need for an holistic approach, taking into account both the potential benefits for the patient and the potential risks to the fetus.

A review of pruritus in pregnancy

Pruritus is a common dermatologic complaint during pregnancy. Pruritus is reported by 23-38% of women during pregnancy, and 2% report severe pruritus. In addition to interfering with sleep and reducing overall quality of life during pregnancy, pruritus may be the first, or only, symptom of an underlying disorder that may impact maternal and fetal outcomes. It is therefore critical for all providers caring for pregnant women to be familiar with pregnancy-specific and non-specific conditions associated with pruritus to most effectively manage this unique population. In this review, we discuss clinical classification of pruritus, a practical approach to the differential diagnosis of pruritus in pregnancy, and focus on updates in the clinical features, diagnosis, management, and prognosis of pregnancy-specific causes of pruritus.

Conceptualization and validation of an innovative direct immunofluorescence technique utilizing fluorescein conjugate against IgG + IgG4 for routinely diagnosing autoimmune bullous dermatoses

Introduction

Autoimmune bullous diseases (ABDs) are potentially life-threatening mucocutaneous illnesses that require diagnosis with direct immunofluorescence (DIF). In this study we compared the diagnostic accuracy of traditional DIF (DIFt; separate immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgG1, IgG4, IgA, IgM and C3 deposits detection) and modified DIF (DIFm; simultaneous IgG + IgG4 deposits detection instead of separate IgG and IgG4 deposits detection) in routine diagnostics of ABDs.

Material and methods

Eighteen patients with ABDs (7 with pemphigus dermatoses and 11 with subepithelial ABDs) were evaluated with DIFt and DIFm.

Results

The agreement of detectability of IgG immunoreactants was obtained in 16 ABD cases (88.89%), as positive results in both DIFt and DIFm were obtained in 13 cases and negative results in both DIFt and DIFm were obtained in 3 cases. One ABD case (Brunsting-Perry pemphigoid) (5.56%) was negative in DIFm with a positive DIFt result (IgG1 deposits). One ABD case (bullous pemphigoid) (5.56%) had only C3 deposits in DIFt with a positive DIFm reading (IgG + IgG4 deposits). A statistically significant relationship (p = 0.0186) between DIFm and DIFt results was revealed using Fisher’s exact test.

Conclusions

Both DIFt and DIFm are useful methods to detect deposition of IgG immunoreactants, but it seems that the innovative DIFm method slightly increases the detectability of IgG/IgG4 immunoreactants in relation to DIFt. The introduction of DIFm into routine laboratory diagnostics of ABDs seems to be justified, as it enables the abandonment of separate FITC conjugates for IgG and IgG4, which is important for cost-effectiveness.

The epidemiology of autoimmune bullous diseases in Sudan between 2000 and 2016

Objectives

Autoimmune bullous diseases vary in their clinico-epidemiological features and burden across populations. Data about these diseases was lacking in Sudan. We aimed to describe the epidemiological profile and to estimate the burden of autoimmune bullous diseases in Sudan.

Methods

This was a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at Khartoum Dermatological and Venereal Diseases Teaching Hospital. We used routinely collected health care data, and included all patients with an autoimmune bullous disease who presented to the hospital between 2001 and 2016.

Results

Out of the 4736 patients who were admitted to the hospital during the study period, 923 (19.5%) had an autoimmune bullous disease. The average rate of patients at the hospital was 57.7 per year representing 1.3 per 100,000 population per year. After exclusion of patients where the final diagnosis was missing, 585 were included in the further analysis. Pemphigus vulgaris was the most common disease (50.9%), followed by bullous pemphigoid (28.2%), linear IgA disease/chronic bullous disease of childhood (8.4%), and pemphigus foliaceous (8.2%). Pemphigoid gestationis and IgA pemphigus constituted 1.4% and 1.2% of the cohort, respectively. Paraneoplastic pemphigus, mucous membrane pemphigoid, lichen planus pemphigoidis, bullous systemic lupus erythematosus, and dermatitis herpetiformis were rare. None of the patients had epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.

Conclusions

The clinico-epidemiological characteristics vary among the types of autoimmune bullous diseases. Females were more predominant in most of them. Sudanese patients tended in general to present at a younger age than other populations. The pool of Sudanese patients with autoimmune bullous diseases is large which requires investigation for the local risk factors and presents a field for future trials.

Pemphigoid Gestationis - Case Report and Review of Literature

Pemphigoid gestationis (PG) is a rare autoimmune bullous skin disorder which usually presents with intense pruritus and urticarial lesions that may evolve into vesicles and tense blisters. In majority of patients, it starts in the second or third trimester of pregnancy and resolves spontaneously after delivery. Lesions appear in the periumbilical area in 90% of patients and rapidly spread centrifugally to other parts of the body. The diagnosis needs to be confirmed by direct immunofluorescence test (DIF) with indirect immunofluorescence test (IIF), ELISA and immunoblot techniques playing role in diagnosis and/or monitoring antibodies level. Mild symptoms of PG can be treated with topical therapy only, but in severe course of the disease the treatment may be escalated to oral corticosteroids. We present an unusual case of PG started 2 weeks after delivery with an updated overview on the epidemiology, pathology, clinical picture, treatment, and complications of the disease.

Subepithelial autoimmune blistering dermatoses: Clinical features and diagnosis

Subepithelial autoimmune blistering dermatoses are a group of rare skin disorders that are characterized by the disruption of the dermal-epidermal junction through the action of autoantibodies. The third article in this continuing medical education series explores the background, epidemiology, clinical features, and diagnostic criteria of each of the major subepithelial autoimmune blistering dermatoses, including bullous pemphigoid, pemphigoid gestationis, lichen planus pemphigoides, mucous membrane pemphigoid, linear IgA bullous dermatosis, and dermatitis herpetiformis.

Managing Pemphigoid Gestationis

Pemphigoid gestationis (PG) is important to diagnose and treat because it carries considerable morbidity for the pregnant woman and can also constitute a risk to the fetus. Herein, the treatment options for PG and a proposed treatment algorithm for PG during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and late postpartum are reviewed.

Advances in the diagnosis of autoimmune bullous dermatoses

Autoimmune bullous dermatoses are defined by autoantibodies directed against adhesion proteins in the epidermis or basement membrane zone, resulting in blister formation on the skin and mucosa. Diagnosis depends on lesional biopsy for histopathology and perilesional biopsy for direct immunofluorescence. Additional diagnostic methods include indirect immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunoblot (Western blot), which may be selected in specific clinical scenarios due to improved sensitivity and/or specificity. This contribution reviews the available evidence supporting the use of each method to provide a practical reference for clinicians when diagnosing autoimmune bullous disorders. Techniques and cost are reviewed, and newer diagnostic techniques with potential for clinical application are.

Autoimmune bullous diseases during pregnancy: insight into pathogenetic mechanisms and clinical features

Pemphigoid gestationis (PG), also known as herpes gestationis, is the prototypic pregnancy-associated autoimmune bullous disease (AIBD), but also the other AIBDs, notably pemphigus vulgaris, may begin or exacerbate during pregnancy. Although the increase in concentration of T and B regulatory cells makes pregnancy a state of increased immunologic tolerance toward the semiallogeneic fetal antigens, a prevalent T helper (Th) 2 profile, that is reported to be associated with pregnancy, may cause exacerbation of pemphigus and AIBDs in general during this period. Active disease may lead to stillbirth, spontaneous abortion, preterm pregnancy, low birthweight, and neonatal pemphigus. PG is a rare AIBD usually starting during the third trimester of pregnancy and healing in the postpartum. It is due to the formation of autoantibodies directed against different epitopes of bullous pemphigoid (BP) 180 as a consequence of the aberrant expression of BP180 in the placental tissue of genetically predisposed women. PG is characterized by vesicles with herpetiform distribution, blisters and urticarial elements typically involving the periumbilical area and the distal portion of the upper limbs. Diagnosis is based on: 1) physical examination; 2) histopathological pattern consisting of a dermal inflammatory infiltrate rich in eosinophils; 3) direct immunofluorescence test demonstrating linear deposits of complement fraction 3 and immunoglobulin G along the basement membrane zone; 4) detection of circulating autoantibodies by means of indirect immunofluorescence or enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Here, we provide an updated overview on the pathophysiologic mechanisms of pregnancy-associated or pregnancy-exacerbated AIBDs, focusing also on peculiar clinical features of these disorders.

Pemphigoid gestationis successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin

Pemphigoid gestationis (PG), also known as herpes gestationis, is a rare autoimmune blistering disease specific to pregnancy, which usually presents in the second or third trimesters and, in 15%-25% of cases, during the immediate postpartum period.¹Although the ethiopathogeny of PG is not fully clarified, most patients develop antibodies against a 180 kDa transmembrane hemidesmosomal protein (BP180; BPAG2; collagen XVII).² PG has a strong association with human leucocyte antigens DR3 and DR4.³We report a case of a 29-year-old female patient with PG successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin.

Pemphigoid gestationis: current perspectives

Many skin diseases can occur in pregnant women. However, a few pruritic dermatological conditions are unique to pregnancy, including pemphigoid gestationis (PG). As PG is associated with severe morbidity for pregnant women and carries fetal risks, it is important for the clinician to quickly recognize this disease and refer it for dermatological evaluation and treatment. Herein, we review the pathogenesis, clinical characteristics, and management of PG.