Autoimmune bullous diseases in pregnancy: clinical and epidemiological characteristics and therapeutic approach

Abstract Autoimmune bullous dermatoses are a heterogeneous group of diseases with autoantibodies against structural skin proteins. Although the occurrence of autoimmune bullous dermatoses during pregnancy is low, this topic deserves attention, since the immunological and hormonal alterations that occur during this period can produce alterations during the expected course of these dermatoses. The authors review the several aspects of autoimmune bullous dermatoses that affect pregnant women, including the therapeutic approach during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Gestational pemphigoid, a pregnancy-specific bullous disease, was not studied in this review.

Epidermólisis bullosa: piel de mariposa. A propósito de un caso / Epidermolysis bullosa: butterfly skin. Apropos of a case

La epidermólisis bullosa comprende un grupo heterogéneo de enfermedades ampollosas de la piel y las mucosas, son de origen congénito y hereditario. Hacer el diagnóstico no es difícil si se tiene experiencia dermatológica, pero su clasificación es compleja y para ello se necesita considerar la clínica, la genética, la microscopia y la evaluación de laboratorio. El tratamiento de esta enfermedad es también dificultoso y son necesarias ciertas medidas, para proteger al paciente, evitar la aparición de lesiones y las complicaciones derivadas de ellas. Se describe el tratamiento de estas lesiones en un recién nacido, al que se administraron antibióticos profilácticos y se colocaron vendajes en las lesiones. Se describieron todos los cuidados y recomendaciones para evitar, especialmente los roces y las presiones en estas lesiones, así como las temperaturas altas. Para la confección del presente trabajo se consultaron 18 materiales entre revistas y libros de Pediatría. El caso reportado fue un recién nacido con epidermólisis bullosa atendido en el Hospital Universitario "Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy" de Colón, Matanzas. Se demostró lo poco frecuente y raro de esta patología para los especialistas del tema (AU).

The epidermolysis bullosa includes a heterogeneous group of bullous skin and mucous diseases of congenital and hereditary origin. Diagnosing them is not difficult if the specialist has dermatologic experience, but their classification is complex and it is necessary to take into account the clinical, genetic and microscopic factors, and the laboratory assessment. The treatment of this disease is also difficult and it is necessary to take certain measures to protect the patient, avoid the onset of lesions and the complications derived from them. The treatment of these lesions in a newborn is described. Prophylactic antibiotics were administered and bandages were put on the lesions. All the cares and recommendations to avoid rubbings and pressures on these lesions, and also the high temperatures, are described. To develop the current term, 18 materials (journals and pediatric books) were consulted. The reported case was the case of a newborn with epidermolysis bullosa attended in the University Hospital "Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy" of Colon, Matanzas. It was demonstrated the low frequency and rarity of this pathology for the specialists of the theme (AU).

Urticaria papular y sus agentes causales en Colombia / Papular urticaria: A review of causal agents in Colombia

Resumen La urticaria papular es una enfermedad alérgica causada por la picadura de insectos, la cual predomina en el trópico. El objetivo de esta revisión fue profundizar en sus aspectos epidemiológicos e inmunológicos, particularmente con base en datos publicados en Latinoamérica. Se hizo una revisión no sistemática mediante la búsqueda electrónica de artículos sobre la epidemiología de la urticaria papular, las características entomológicas de los agentes causales y los mecanismos inmunológicos asociados. Según los diversos reportes de centros médicos de Latinoamérica la urticaria papular es frecuente; el único estudio de prevalencia publicado indica que afecta a una cuarta parte de los niños escolares de Bogotá. Hay información sobre la relación causal entre la exposición domiciliaria a la pulga, la pobreza y la urticaria papular en Bogotá, una ciudad representativa de las altitudes andinas. No hay estudios que indaguen directamente sobre los insectos causales en zonas cálidas, aunque se sospecha clínicamente de los mosquitos Aedes aegypti y Culex quinquefasciatus. En cuanto a su patogenia, se destaca la participación de mecanismos celulares que involucran las células colaboradoras Th2, lo cual explica que sea una condición de hipersensibilidad retardada. El papel de la inmunoglobulina E (IgE) en la urticaria papular no está tan claro. Se desconocen los antígenos derivados de los insectos que causan la enfermedad, aunque se plantea que existen moléculas comunes de reacción cruzada entre los insectos, tales como el alérgeno Cte f 2 en la pulga, y sus homólogos en los mosquitos. La urticaria papular es una condición frecuente en Latinoamérica que debe investigarse en profundidad. La caracterización inmunológica de los componentes moleculares que causan esta condición puede resolver interrogantes sobre su etiología y su patogenia.

Abstract Papular urticaria is a chronic allergic reaction induced by insect bites, which is common in the tropics. The objective of this review was to deepen on epidemiological and immunological aspects of this disease, focused on data published in Latin American countries. We conducted a non-systematic review of the literature through electronic search on the epidemiology of papular urticaria, the entomological characteristics of the causative agents and associated immunological mechanisms. Several reports from medical centers suggest that papular urticaria is common in Latin America. Only one epidemiological survey designed to estimate prevalence of papular urticaria has been published, reporting that about a quarter of children under six years of age is affected by this condition in Bogotá. There is evidence on the causal relationship among exposure to indoor fleas, poverty and papular urticaria in Bogotá, a representative city of the Andean altitudes. Information about causal insects in tropical warmer areas is scarce, although from clinical reports Aedes aegypti and Culex quienquefasciatus appear to be the most common. Th2 cellular-mediated mechanisms are involved in its pathogenesis, which explains its delayed hypersensitivity. The role of immunoglobulin E is not clear in this disease. Insect-derived antigens directly involved in papular urticaria etiology are unknown. However, it is possible that common molecules among causal insects mediate cross-reactive reactions, such as Cte f 2 allergen, found in cat fleas, and its counterparts in mosquitoes. Papular urticaria is a frequent disease in Latin America that should be further investigated. Immunological characterization of the molecular components that cause this condition may solve questions about its pathogenesis.

Tumourlike Lesions of Skin - A Clinicopathological Analysis of 175 Cases.

As the skin is the largest and complex organ, a wide variety of tumourlike lesions are encountered in the clinical practice. The ability to properly diagnose & treat these common lesions & to distinguish them from malignant tumours is the vital skills for all clinicians. Objective: To analyse retrospectively tumourlike lesions of skin with respect to age, sex, clinical features and histopathological features in a tertiary referral centre in Maharashtra, India. Methods : The present study consisted of analysis of tumourlike lesions of skin received in the histopathology section of department of pathology over a period of 5 years that is from August 2005 to July 2010 .The material comprised of biopsies and excision specimens. The clinical and histopathological details were noted. The findings were compared with those reported by other authors. Results : One hundred and seventy five (175) cases of tumourlike lesions of skin were seen .These lesions presented as skin swellings or tumours. Maximum cases (34.8%) of tumourlike lesions occurred in fourth & fifth decades with male preponderance (1.35:1). The maximum number of cases was encountered in the head & neck region (63.4%). Their size ranged from 0.4 to 9 cms. Epidermal cyst was the commonest tumourlike lesion (59.4%) followed by dermoid cyst (13.1%).Other lesions were trichilemmal cyst, fibroepithelial polyp, keloid, hypertrophic scar and epidermal nevus. Conclusion : Tumourlike lesions are clinically diagnosed by their presentation. However, the histopathological examination confirms the clinical diagnosis. The pathologic evaluation of all tumourlike lesions is mandatory to avoid patient’s and family’s anxiety.

An outbreak of Portuguese man-of-war (Physalia physalis - Linnaeus, 1758) envenoming in Southeastern Brazil

Introduction Portuguese man-of-war, Physalia physalis (Linnaeus, 1758), are cnidarians capable of discharging intracellular organelles filled with venom, resulting in severe envenomation in humans. Methods We report the clinical and therapeutic aspects of 331 accidents involving Portuguese man-of-war in an outbreak on the coast of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Results The clinical manifestations of envenomation were rare and mild and mostly local, systemic reactions; there was a low rate of late complications. Conclusions The consequences of envenomation were of moderate severity, and first aid measures were effective in controlling the pain. Outbreaks of accidents involving Portuguese man-of-war occur periodically in the area without a clear explanation. .

Aspectos epidemiológicos do pênfigo foliáceo endêmico no Estado de Minas Gerais (1985 a 1987) / Epidemiologic aspects of the endemic foliaceous pemphigus in the state of Minas Gerais (1985 a 1987)

Os autores estudaram 318 pacientes com pênfigo foliáceo endêmico no Estado de Minas Gerais, atendidos nos níveis ambulatorial e hospitalar, entre 1985 e 1987. Näo foi observada predileçäo por sexo ou cor. Houve discreto predomínio de pacientes residentes na zona ruaral (57,3 por cento) ou que exerciam atividades próprias daquele meio (56 por cento). A ocorrência da doença foi maior na faixa etária entre dez e trinta anos (47,1 por cento). A localizaçäo inicial das lesöes foi preferencialmente a regiäo torácica anterior (32 por cento). A existência de casos familiares foi verificada em 8 por cento dos pacientes, todos geneticamente relacionados. O sinal de Nikolsky estava positivo em 83,1 por cento dos casos. A regiäo metalúrgica mostrou maior número de pacientes (25,8 por cento). Na terceira fase do estudo, realizada em Cachoeira da Prata, observou-se o mesmo padräo de distribuiçäo.

Distribuiçäo geográfica do pênfigo foliáceo sul-americano no Estado do Rio de Janeiro / Geographical distribution of South American pemphigus foliaceus in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

O estudo de 71 caos de pênfigo foliáceo sul-americano procedentes do Estado do Rio de Janeiro revelou que a doença foi mais comum nas regiöes de média altitude da Serra do Mar, poupando as regiöes mais altas dessa Serra e a regiäo do litoral fliminense. Os municípios mais acometidos foram os de menor densidade demográfica, localizados na regiäo menos desenvolvida do Estado. Foi marcante o predomínio do início das manifestaçöes clínicas na época do veräo. A doença predominou em indivíduos de classe social baixa, lavradores e domésticas. Näo houve predominância de cor, raça ou estado civil. Os adultos jovens foram os mais acometidos. O pênfigo foliáceo sul americano é a dermatose essencialmente bolhosa mais freqüente no Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Tudo indica que essa doença encontra ambiente mais propício em locais onde determinados fatores geográficos se associam em regiöes economicamente pouco desenvolvidas