Linear IGA bullous dermatosis potentially triggered by vaccination

Linear IgA bullous dermatosis (LABD) is a mucocutaneous autoimmune blistering disease affecting both adults and children. It is caused by IgA antibodies targeting multiple antigens along the basement membrane zone, leading to disruption of dermoepidermal junction and development of bullous lesions which often presents in characteristic arrangement. Although most LABD cases have been reported to be idiopathic, different triggers have been described, including several drugs and infection. However, the occurrence of vaccine-induced cases of LABD is not widely known and accepted due to the few reports available. We present two cases of LABD occurred following different triggers, rising the suspicion for a possible pathogenetic role of vaccines.

Bullous Scabies: Clinical, Dermoscopic, and Pathologic Characteristics of 10 Patients

Bullous scabies (BS) is a rare atypical clinical variant of scabies and is easily confused with bullous disorders. The diagnosis of BS is always a challenge, and physicians often misdiagnose BS patients. Patients with BS admitted from 2012 to 2020 were enrolled in this study. The clinical, dermoscopic, and pathological characteristics of the patients were analyzed retrospectively. Ten patients with BS were enrolled in this study. Seven of the 10 patients were male. The bullae were most commonly found on the thighs and arms (80% of patients). Only 30% of patients (3/10) tested positive for mites and/or eggs by the initial skin scraping, but 100% (5/5) of the patients who received dermoscopy tested positive. Among these 10 patients, only five received a skin biopsy. Subepidermal (4/5) and intraepidermal (1/5) bullae with eosinophil and neutrophil infiltration were observed in five patients. Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) indicated linear deposition of IgG in the basement membrane zone in three patients. Physicians should consider the possibility of BS in patients with blisters, pruritus, and poor response to corticosteroids. Dermoscopy should be prioritized for the differential diagnosis of BS to exclude other bullous disorders. Finally, a biopsy should be performed on each patient with bullae.

Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) and its therapeutic strategies

Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is an autoimmune subepithelial blistering disease. Oral and ocular mucosae are the most frequently afected areas, but the nasopharynx, esophagus, larynx and anogenital region can also be involved. It is characterized by linear deposition of IgG, IgA, or C3 along the basement membrane zone. In low-risk cases topical, intralesional corticosteroids are administered, together with anti-infammatory, immunomodulatory (dapsone) drugs or antibiotics (doxycycline). In severe, high-risk cases we apply systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppresive agents, or biological therapies (rituximab and anti-tumour necrosis factor drugs), or combination treatment of rituximab and intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG)

Uncommon Nail Involvement during Bullous Pemphigoid

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most frequent autoimmune blistering disorder. The immune reaction targets BP180 and BP230 antigens, 2 components of junctional adhesion complexes at the basement membrane zone. Clinical aspect includes multiple tense bullae on urticarial plaques of the skin. Although the nail apparatus may be affected by the immune process, nail changes have been rarely reported during BP. We report a case of a 72-year-old woman diagnosed with BP who subsequently developed a secondary nail loss of the 2 thumbs and the left middle finger. Also, she presented onycholysis of the fourth left finger with the aspect of roller-coaster of the proximal border at dermoscopy. Steroid therapy at high doses was ineffective and the nail atrophy was permanent.

Autoimmune bullous diseases

Autoimmune bullous diseases of the skin are a heterogenous group of blistering diseases that affect the skin and/or mucosal membranes. They are associated with significant morbidity and mortality and may present to several different specialists. They are broadly divided into two groups depending on the location of the blisters formed in the skin, which may be subepidermal (pemphigoids, linear IgA disease, dermatitis herpetiformis, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita) or intraepidermal (pemphigus group). Pathogenic autoantibodies (IgG, IgA) target either the proteins that provide keratinocyte adhesion (intraepidermal disease) or the proteins of hemidesmosomes that attach the basal cell layer to the basement membrane zone (subepidermal disease).

The skin in pregnancy

Dermatoses in pregnancy are common, they may be very itchy and may influence the life of a pregnant woman dramatically. There are four classical dermatoses of pregnancy, which this chapter will examine. It is particularly important to recognize these as they may have serious health implications for mother and child. Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy occurs in 1/40 to 1/500 pregnancies and is the most serious cause of itch in pregnancy, with potentially substantial effects on mother and fetus. Meanwhile, atopic eruption of pregnancy affects 1/300 pregnancies, typically with an eczematous eruption over abdomen and limbs. Pemphigoid gestationis occurs in 1/50,000 pregnancies and is due to circulating antibodies against the skin basement membrane zone. The eruption often begins around the umbilicus and spreads to the whole trunk, limbs, hands, and feet. If potent topical steroids fail systemic steroids are required. Transplacental transmission to the fetus may also occur. Recurrence in future pregnancies is to be expected.