A current review of juvenile pemphigus vulgaris: analysis of data on clinical outcomes

Pemphigus and pemphigoids: Clinical presentation, diagnosis and therapy

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.

Pemphigus- und Pemphigoid-Erkrankungen: Klinik, Diagnostik und Therapie: Pemphigus and pemphigoids: Clinical presentation, diagnosis and therapy

Pemphigus 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.

Pediatric Autoimmune Bullous Disease: A Literature Review and Update on Management

Pediatric autoimmune bullous disease is a rare group of blistering skin disorders in children that result from autoimmunity against intercellular and basement membrane antigens in the skin and mucous membranes. Most pediatric cases are treated with oral corticosteroids or longer-term immunosuppressants such as azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil. Immunomodulating drugs such as rituximab are increasingly being considered as options for refractory disease.

Association of pemphigus and pemphigoid with osteoporosis and pathological fractures

Patients with pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid (BP) have potential risk factors for osteoporosis and/or fractures. To determine whether pemphigus and BP are associated with osteoporosis and fractures in the US, a cross-sectional study of 198,102,435 adults was performed, including 4506 with pemphigus and 8864 with BP from the 2006-2012 National Emergency Department Sample, a 20% sample of emergency care visits throughout the US. Pemphigus was associated with higher odds (multivariate logistic regression; adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence intervals]) of osteopenia (2.20 [1.59-3.05]), osteoporosis (2.54 [2.16-2.98]), osteomalacia (29.70 [4.05-217.83]), and pathological fractures (2.04 [1.42-2.91]). BP was associated with osteoporosis (1.55 [1.39-1.73]) and pathological fractures (1.52 [1.22-1.88]). When compared to BP, pemphigus was associated with higher odds of osteopenia (1.59 [1.06-2.41]), osteoporosis (1.38 [1.18-1.63]), and fractures (1.26 [1.04-1.53]), particularly of the ulna and radius (3.17 [1.23-8.17]). Patients with pemphigus or BP as well as long-term systemic corticosteroid use had highest odds of osteoporosis and fractures. No data were available on treatments for pemphigus or BP. Pemphigus and BP were associated with osteopenia, osteoporosis, and pathologic fractures. Patients with PEM and BP may benefit from increased screening for osteoporosis and interventions to prevent fractures.

Bullous Diseases in Children: A Review of Clinical Features and Treatment Options

Bullous diseases are uncommon in children; however, as they have the potential to affect quality of life, occasionally have long-term side effects in the setting of scarring processes, and carry a rare risk of underlying malignancy [e.g., with paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP)], knowledge of their clinical presentation and treatment options is essential. Given the rarity of these conditions, our current state of knowledge is largely derived from case reports and case series, with a paucity of evidence-based recommendations. In this review, we discuss the clinical presentation of and treatment options for linear immunoglobulin A disease, dermatitis herpetiformis, pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceus, PNP, bullous pemphigoid, mucus membrane pemphigoid, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, and inherited epidermolysis bullosa. In general, when these conditions, except for PNP, occur in childhood, they have a better prognosis than when they occur in adults. Clinical, histopathological, and immunologic features frequently overlap, but distinct differences have also been reported, most commonly in clinical presentation. Treatment is often similar to that in adults, although specific considerations are necessary for a pediatric population.

Successful management of pediatric oral pemphigus vulgaris with topical corticosteroid monotherapy

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune intraepithelial bullous disease that affects the skin and mucous membranes. Typically, the management of PV is challenging, with systemic corticosteroids being the mainstay of treatment. We describe the case of a 14-year-old girl who was diagnosed with oral PV and successfully treated with topical corticosteroids alone. This case details a pediatric mucosal PV case successfully managed solely with topical corticosteroids.

Childhood Pemphigus Vulgaris: Report of Two Cases with Emphasis on Diagnostic Approach

Childhood pemphigus vulgaris (CPV) is a rare entity with clinical features and management primarily similar to those of adults; diagnosis may be difficult due to clinical similarity to other disorders such as herpetic gingivostomatitis which is more prevalent in this age group. We report two cases of CPV with emphasis on diagnostic approach. While treating such patients, it is imperative to diagnose CPV in the early stages to prevent serious morbidity and to adjust drug dosage to minimize side effects.

Autoimmune Bullous Disease in Childhood

Background:

Autoimmune bullous disorders (AIBDs) are a heterogeneous group of diseases which are rarely seen in children. Studies concerning the immunobullous diseases in pediatric patients are scarce.

Aims and Objectives:

In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical features and treatment outcomes of AIBDs in children.

Materials and Methods:

The electronic records of the patients in our AIBDs outpatient clinic were retrospectively reviewed. All cases diagnosed before the age of 16 years were included in the analysis of clinical features, treatment outcomes, and follow-up data.

Results:

Of the 196 patients with immunobullous diseases, 9 (4.6%) were diagnosed before the age of 16 years. Mean age of the patients at the time of diagnosis was 7.72 ± 5.66 years. Among nine patients, linear immunoglobulin A disease (LAD), pemphigus vulgaris (PV), and bullous pemphigoid (BP) were seen in 5, 2, and 2 children, respectively. All patients were treated with at least two systemic agents (including methylprednisolone, dapsone, methotrexate, salazopyrine, intravenous Ig [IVIg], and rituximab) leading to clinical remission in all of them after a mean period of 31.77 ± 27.99 months.

Conclusion:

In line with earlier studies, LAD was the most common immunobullous disease and in general, associated with a favorable response to dapsone. This study was noteworthy in that the patients with PV and BP demonstrated a relatively more recalcitrant course, requiring rituximab and IVIg for remission, respectively. Overall, patients had a good prognosis.

Bullous diseases: Kids are not just little people

Bullous diseases may be rare; however, this does not preclude the clinician from being familiar with their manifestations and treatment. After ruling out infection, genetically inherited blistering diseases are more likely to be the cause of blistering or erosions in the neonatal period, whereas immunobullous diseases are more common in adults. Published literature on immunobullous disorders reflects information gleaned from case reports and open-label case series; prospective studies and evidence-based treatments are limited. Although there may be overlapping clinical features, significant clinical differences exist between adults and children. Evidence-based treatment guidelines are limited, and information from the adult literature cannot be readily generalized to the pediatric population. This paper reviews the approach to blistering conditions and the differences among bullous pemphigoid, linear immunoglobulin A disease, dermatitis herpetiformis, pemphigus foliaceus, pemphigus vulgaris, and paraneoplastic pemphigus in adult versus pediatric patients.

Analysis of current therapy and clinical outcome in childhood pemphigus vulgaris

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a rare, potentially fatal chronic autoimmune disease of the skin and mucous membrane. The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical outcomes and side effects associated with treatment of childhood PV (CPV). A retrospective review of the English language literature was conducted through PUBMED using the words childhood pemphigus vulgaris, and treatment or clinical outcome. Only patients under 12 years of age were included. Thirty-three cases were found in 29 reports. Mean age at onset was 8.3 years (range 1.5-12 yrs). Mucosal involvement (97.0%) was more common than cutaneous involvement (84.8%). Oral mucosa was the most common site of mucosal involvement (93.9%), followed by genital (20.6%), ocular (11.8%), and nasal mucosa (2.9%). Mean duration of therapy was 4.5 years (range 0.6-14.5 yrs), and mean duration of follow-up was 5.2 years (range 0.6-16 yrs). Complete recovery with no further therapy was achieved in 18.2% and partial recovery with minor relapses while on maintenance therapy in 78.8%. One patient died due to infection (3.0%). Serious side effects were present in 60.6%. The most common were cushingoid features (65.0%), growth retardation (50.0%), and infection (50.0%). Two patients who were refractory to systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents (ISA) had a favorable clinical response to Rituximab. Current therapy for CPV involving the use of long-term systemic corticosteroids in conjunction with ISA results in prolonged immunosuppression, causing systemic infections and growth retardation. Safer and more effective therapies need to be explored.