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Zhang Y, Dang J, Li R, Chen X, Zhu X, Wang M. Clinical Features of Paediatric Inflammatory Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita: A Case Series Study. Acta Derm Venereol 2024; 104:adv11917. [PMID: 38270257 PMCID: PMC10831865 DOI: 10.2340/actadv.v104.11917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) rarely develops in childhood. This study retrospectively recruited paediatric patients with EBA (age ≤ 16 years), diagnosed by clinical and histopathological features and results of immunofluorescence, immunoblotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and reviews their clinical manifestations, histopathology, immunological features, and responses to various treatments. All 7 included patients presented with inflammatory EBA. Among them, 3 had a bullous pemphigoid-like phenotype. Pathologically, in addition to dermal-epidermal blistering, in all patients, the distribution of neutrophils was superficial perivascular or interstitial, or in the dermal papilla. Mixed neutrophils and eosinophils were detected in 2 of the 3 patients with bullous pemphigoid-like phenotypes. In addition to treatment with glucocorticoids, dapsone was administered in 4 patients, while thalidomide and sulfasalazine were administered in 1 patient. All patients responded to the these therapies. Relapse was mainly due to reduction and cessation of glucocorticoids. In conclusion, EBA in childhood may be unique, and thus distinct from its adult counterpart. Specific treatment and follow-up protocols are required for therapy of this rare autoimmune skin disease in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuexin Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis on Dermatoses, Beijing, China
| | - Jingyang Dang
- Department of Dermatology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis on Dermatoses, Beijing, China
| | - Ruoyu Li
- Department of Dermatology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis on Dermatoses, Beijing, China
| | - Xixue Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis on Dermatoses, Beijing, China
| | - Xuejun Zhu
- Department of Dermatology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis on Dermatoses, Beijing, China
| | - Mingyue Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Skin and Immune Diseases, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnosis on Dermatoses, Beijing, China.
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Didona D, Schmidt MF, Maglie R, Solimani F. Pemphigus and pemphigoids: Clinical presentation, diagnosis and therapy. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2023; 21:1188-1209. [PMID: 37587612 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.15174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Pemphigus and pemphigoid are two potentially life-threatening groups of autoimmune diseases, characterized by autoantibodies targeting structural components of desmosomes or hemidesmosomes, respectively. Affected patients typically show itchy/painful plaques or blistering skin lesions and/or impairing mucosal blistering and erosions, which may strongly impact their quality of life. Since the milestone work of Walter Lever in 1953, who differentiated these two groups of diseases by histopathological analysis of the level of antibody-mediated skin cleavage, enormous progresses occurred. Achievements made in laboratory diagnostics now allow to identify antigen specific structural proteins of the skin that are targeted by pathogenic autoantibodies. These progresses were accompanied by an increased understanding of the pathogenesis of these diseases thanks to the establishment of animal models reproducing disease and on studies on skin and blood of affected individuals, which have been leading to novel and disease-specific treatments. Yet, given their phenotypical overlap with more common dermatological diseases, correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment are often delayed, in some cases leading to irreversible sequelae, including organ dysfunction (i.e., loss of vision in mucous membrane pemphigoid). Here, we provide a concise overview of the clinical appearance, diagnosis and therapeutic management of pemphigus and pemphigoid diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Didona
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Morna F Schmidt
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Roberto Maglie
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Dermatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Farzan Solimani
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Biomedical Innovation Academy, BIH Charité Clinician Scientist Program, Germany
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Didona D, Schmidt MF, Maglie R, Solimani F. Pemphigus- und Pemphigoid-Erkrankungen: Klinik, Diagnostik und Therapie: Pemphigus and pemphigoids: Clinical presentation, diagnosis and therapy. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2023; 21:1188-1211. [PMID: 37845066 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.15174_g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
ZusammenfassungPemphigus und Pemphigoid sind seltene Autoimmunkrankheiten der Haut mit potenziell lebensbedrohlichem Verlauf. Autoantikörper gegen epidermale und junktionale Strukturproteine (Desmosomen sowie Hemidesmosomen) führen bei Betroffenen typischerweise zu juckenden, schmerzhaften Plaques oder Blasen an der Haut und/oder Blasenbildung und Erosionen der Schleimhäute mit möglicher Einschränkung der Lebensqualität. Seit der bahnbrechenden Arbeit von Walter Lever im Jahr 1953, dem es gelang, mittels histopathologischer Untersuchung diese beiden Krankheitsgruppen anhand des Musters der Antikörper‐vermittelten Blasenbildung zu differenzieren, wurden enorme Fortschritte im Verständnis der Erkrankungen erzielt. Die Errungenschaften in der Labordiagnostik ermöglichten die Identifikation von Zielstrukturen zur präzisen Unterscheidung verschiedener Varianten der bullösen Autoimmunerkrankungen. Diese Fortschritte gingen dank der Entwicklung von Tiermodellen mit einem besseren Verständnis der Pathogenese einher. Außerdem haben Studien an Haut und Blut betroffener Patienten zu neuen und krankheitsspezifischen Behandlungen geführt. Aufgrund ihrer Seltenheit und der klinischen Ähnlichkeit mit anderen dermatologischen Erkrankungen verzögern sich die korrekte Diagnosestellung und die Einleitung einer entsprechenden Therapie häufig, was in einigen Fällen zu irreversiblen Folgeerscheinungen, einschließlich Funktionsstörungen von Organen (zum Beispiel Verlust des Sehvermögens beim Schleimhautpemphigoid) führt. Wir geben hier einen Überblick über das klinische Erscheinungsbild, den Diagnosealgorithmus und das therapeutische Management von Pemphigus‐ und Pemphigoid‐Erkrankungen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Didona
- Klinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Deutschland
| | - Morna F Schmidt
- Klinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Deutschland
| | - Roberto Maglie
- Klinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Deutschland
- Abteilung für Gesundheitswissenschaften, Abteilung für Dermatologie, Universität Florenz, Florenz, Italien
| | - Farzan Solimani
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Korporatives Mitglied der Freien Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Deutschland
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Biomedical Innovation Academy, BIH Charité Clinician Scientist Program, Berlin, Deutschland
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Szymański K, Kowalewski C, Pietrzyk E, Woźniak K. Case Report: Biological treatment of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita: report on four cases and literature review. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1214011. [PMID: 37503352 PMCID: PMC10371012 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1214011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is a chronic, recurrent autoimmune subepidermal bullous disease characterized by the presence of autoantibodies targeting type VII collagen -- basement membrane zone antigen. Standard therapy for EBA includes a combination of systemic corticosteroids and dapsone; however, severe cases may require advanced treatment. The current article reports on four EBA cases in which biologics: infliximab, rituximab (Rtx), and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) were applied. All patients fulfilled the clinical and immunological criteria of EBA: they presented tense blisters healing with atrophic scars on the skin on traumatized areas and in mucous membranes. The diagnosis of EBA was established using numerous techniques: direct and indirect immunofluorescence, salt split skin, ELISA, Fluorescence Overlay Antigen Mapping using Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy. Since all the patients did not achieve long-term remission on standard treatment (prednisone, dapsone) due to ineffectiveness or side effects of drugs, they eventually were treated with biologics leading to extraordinary skin improvement and stopping the disease for 1-3 years. Biologics in all patients were tolerated very well. No side effects were observed during application as well as multi-month follow-up. The presented cases provide a premise that biological drugs can be a valuable component of EBA therapy.
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Martora F, Fabbrocini G, Battista T, Patruno C, Napolitano M. Epidermolysis bullosa: new insights for the future. Clin Exp Dermatol 2022; 47:2287-2288. [PMID: 35918177 DOI: 10.1111/ced.15364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Martora
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriella Fabbrocini
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Teresa Battista
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Cataldo Patruno
- Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Maddalena Napolitano
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences Vincenzo Tiberio, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
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