Vesiculobullous Diseases Flashcards
(215 cards)
Bullous pemphigoid clinical presentation
- chronic autoimmune bullous eruption characterized by pruritic, tense, subepidermal bullae on an erythematous or normal skin base
- can present as urticarial plaques without bullae
- common sites: flexor aspect of forearms, axillae, medial thighs, groin, abdomen, mouth in 33%
Bullous pemphigoid pathophysiology
• IgG produced against dermal-epidermal basement membrane proteins (hemidesmosomes) leads to subepidermal bullae
Bullous pemphigoid epi
• mean age of onset: 60-80 yr old, F=M
Bullous pemphigoid invesigations
- immunofluorescence shows linear deposition of IgG and C3 along the basement membrane
- anti-basement membrane antibody (IgG) (pemphigoid antibody detectable in serum)
Bullous pemphigoid prognosis
heals without scarring, usually chronic
rarely fatal
Bullous pemphigoid management
- prednisone 0.5-1 mg/kg/day until clear, then taper ± steroid-sparing agents (e.g. immunosuppressants such as azathioprine, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil)
- topical potent steroids (clobetasol) may be as effective as systemic steroids in limited disease
- tetracycline ± nicotinamide is effective for some cases
- IVIg and plasmapheresis for refractory cases
Pemphigus vulgaris clinical presentation
- autoimmune blistering disease characterized by flaccid non-pruritic intraepidermal bullae/vesicles on an erythematous or normal skin base
- may present with erosions and secondary bacterial infection
- sites: mouth (90%), scalp, face, chest, axillae, groin, umbilicus
- Nikolsky’s sign: epidermal detachment with shear stress
- Asboe-Hansen sign: pressure applied to bulla causes it to extend laterally
Pathophysiology pemphigus vulgaris
IgG against epidermal desmoglein-1 and -3 lead to loss of intercellular adhesion in the epidermis
Pemphigus vulgaris epidemiology
- 40-60 yr old, M=F, higher prevalence in Jewish, Mediterranean, Asian populations
- paraneoplastic pemphigus may be associated with thymoma, myasthenia gravis, malignancy, and use of D-penicillamine
Pemphigus vulgaris investigations
- immunofluorescence: shows IgG and C3 deposition intraepidermally
- circulatng serum anti-desmoglein IgG antibodies
Pemphigus vulgaris prognosis
- lesions heal with hyperpigmentation but do not scar
* may be fatal unless treated with immunosuppressive agents
Pemphigus vulgaris management
• prednisone 1-2 mg/kg until no new blisters, then 1-1.5 mg/kg until clear, then taper ± steroid-sparing agents (e.g. azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, IVIg, mycophenolate mofetil, rituximab)
Pemphigus vulgaris vs Bullous pemphigoid
VulgariS = Superficial, intraepidermal, flaccid lesions
PemphigoiD = Deeper, tense lesions at the dermal-epidermal junction
Pemphigus Foliaceus description, pathophysiology and treatment
An autoimmune intraepidermal blistering disease that is more superficial than pemphigus vulgaris due to antibodies against desmoglein-1, a transmembrane adhesion molecule.
Appears as crusted patches, erosions and/or flaccid bullae that usually start on the trunk.
Localized disease can be managed with topical steroids. Active widespread disease is treated like pemphigus vulgaris
Dermatitis herpetiformis clinical presenntation
- grouped papules/vesicles/urticarial wheals on an erythematous base, associated with intense pruritus, burning, stinging, excoriations
- lesions grouped, bilaterally symmetrical
- common sites: extensor surfaces of elbows/knees, sacrum buttocks, scalp
Dermatitis herpetiformis pathophysiology
- transglutaminase IgA deposits in the skin alone or in immune complexes leading to eosinophil and neutrophil infiltration
- 90% have HLA B8, DR3, DQWZ
- 90-100% associated with an often subclinical gluten-sensitive enteropathy (i.e. celiac disease)
- 30% have thyroid disease; increased risk of intestinal lymphoma in untreated comorbid celiac disease; iron/folate deficiency is common
Dermatitis herpetiformis epidemiology
20-60 year old
M:F = 2:1
Dermatitis herpetiformis investigations
biopsy
immunofluorescencce shows IgA depots in perilesional skin
Dermatitis herpetiformis management
- dapsone (sulfapyridine if contraindicated or poorly tolerated)
- gluten free diet for life – this can reduce risk of lymphoma
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda clinical presentation
- skin fragility followed by formation of tense vesicles/bullae and erosions on photoexposed skin
- gradual healing to scars, milia
- periorbital violaceous discolouration, diffuse hypermelanosis, facial hypertrichosis
- common sites: light-exposed areas subjected to trauma, dorsum of hands and feet, nose, and upper trunk
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda Pathophysiology
- uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase deficiency leads to excess heme precursors
- can be associated with hemochromatosis, alcohol abuse, DM, drugs (estrogen therapy, NSAIDs), HIV, hepatitis C, increased iron indices
Porphyria cutanea tarda epidemiology
• 30-40 yr old, M>F
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda investigations
- urine + 5% HCl shows orange-red fluorescence under Woods lamp (UV rays)
- 24 h urine for uroporphyrins (elevated)
- stool contains elevated coproporphyrins
- immunofluorescence shows IgE at dermal-epidermal junctions
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda management
discontinue aggravating substances (alcohol, estrogen therapy)
- phlebotomy to decrease body iron load
- low dose hydroxychloroquine