A case of concurrent pemphigoid vegetans and pemphigus vegetans resolving without oral corticosteroid

Management of pemphigoid vegetans with mycophenolate mofetil: A case report

Pemphigoid vegetans is a rare variant of bullous pemphigoid. Only 13 cases have been documented in the medical literature. The lesions clinically resemble pemphigus vegetans, but the histology is consistent with bullous pemphigoid. We present the case of a 63-year-old woman with painful vesicular and vegetative lesions progressing for 4 months. Histopathology showed a dermal-epidermal cleavage, epidermal acanthosis and an eosinophilic infiltrate. Direct immunofluorescence showed linear deposition of IgG and IgA at the junctional level. The diagnosis of pemphigoid vegetans was retained and successfully treated with oral corticosteroid, dapsone and mycophenolate mofetil.

Case of pemphigoid vegetans with autoantibodies against the BP180 C-terminal domain and BP230 antigen

Pemphigoid vegetans is a rare variant of bullous pemphigoid characterized by vegetative and purulent lesions of the groin, axillae, thighs, hands, eyelids, and perioral regions. The clinical features and histological findings of pemphigus vegetans and immunohistochemical characteristics of bullous pemphigoid are shown. An 86-year-old woman presented with vegetative lesions in the vulva and groin, and blisters on the head, neck, axillae, and thighs. Although clinically suspected as pemphigus vegetans, skin biopsy showed subepidermal clefts with eosinophil infiltration and eosinophilic pustules in the epidermis. Direct immunofluorescence analysis showed linear deposition of immunoglobulin (Ig)G along the basement membrane zone. Indirect immunofluorescence using 1 mol/L NaCl salt-split skin showed linear deposition of IgG on the epidermal side. Chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were positive for BP180 and BP230. Immunoblotting of recombinant protein of the BP180 C-terminal domain showed positive reactivity. Pemphigoid vegetans was diagnosed and treated successfully with oral corticosteroids. This is the first case of pemphigoid vegetans reported to date with detection of autoantibodies against both BP180 C-terminal domain and BP230.

Case of bullous pemphigoid coexisting with anti-desmoglein autoantibodies

A 79-year-old Japanese woman had clinical and histopathological features of bullous pemphigoid, while direct immunofluorescence test revealed C3 and immunoglobulin G depositions in the lower cell surfaces of the epidermis in addition to those in the dermoepidermal junction. Chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassays were positive for desmoglein-1 and -3 antibodies in addition to anti-BP180 antibodies. In an immunoblotting study, antibodies against both 180-kDa bullous pemphigoid antigen and 130-kDa pemphigus vulgaris antigen were detected. Based on these results, bullous pemphigoid coexisting with anti-desmoglein autoantibodies was diagnosed in this case.

Atypical Clinical and Serological Manifestation of Pemphigus Vegetans: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Pemphigus vegetans (PVeg) is a rare variant of pemphigus vulgaris characterized by pustules and/or papillomatous vegetations, preferentially affecting intertriginous and periorificial areas. Exceptional manifestations may be misdiagnosed resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosis is confirmed by immunofluorescence and detection of anti-desmoglein (Dsg) 3 and/or anti-Dsg1 antibodies. We herein report an unusual manifestation of PVeg. At the time of first presentation, lesions were restricted to the right ring finger's tip. Although mucous membranes were initially not affected, high levels of anti-Dsg3 antibodies were detected while anti-Dsg1 and anti-desmocollin (Dsc) 1, 2, and 3 antibodies were absent. To compare our immunological findings with previous reports, all accessible Anglophone literature published since December 1988 was evaluated. We identified 52 patients suffering from PVeg, 7 of these showed anti-Dsg3 antibodies without any mucous membrane involvement. Notably, the detection of anti-Dsg1 and anti-Dsg3 antibodies does not necessarily correlate with the involvement of skin and/or mucous membranes. This might be due to more specific and complex antibody constellations in nonclassical or atypical pemphigus.

Pemphigoid Vegetans in Childhood: A Case Report and Short Review of Literature

Pemphigoid vegetans is a very rare type of bullous pemphigoid which usually affects the elderly and has not been reported in children. It shows a clinical resemblance to pemphigus vegetans but has distinct histological and immunopathological features of bullous pemphigoid. A 9-year-old girl presented with recurrent purulent and verrucous vegetating lesions on her forehead, groin and vulva along with scaling, crusted, bullous and purulent lesions on the eyelids, periorbital, periauricular, perioral region and lips. She had oral lesions and a cerebriform tongue. Though she showed clinical features of pemphigus vegetans, histology revealed a subepidermal blister with the absence of acantholysis. Direct immunofluorescence studies were suggestive of bullous pemphigoid. On clinicopathological correlation, a diagnosis of pemphigoid vegetans was made. She responded well to oral corticosteroids and dapsone therapy with complete resolution of the lesions.