Trichoscopy of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus in the Black Scalp: A Literature Review.

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is the most common type of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus. It is more frequent in adult women, particularly black race. Scalp DLE has an earlier onset and a more severe clinical course in black patients compared to Caucasians. Nevertheless, studies on this population remain scarce. The aim of this study was to review the literature and summarize the most frequent trichoscopic findings of scalp DLE among patients with a higher phototype. The main trichoscopic findings of DLE on black scalp are interruption of the honeycomb pattern, reduction, or absence of pinpoint white dots, keratotic follicular plugs and peripilar casts, blue-gray dots in a speckled pattern, and large tortuous arboriform vessels. Knowledge of these and other changes enables an early diagnosis of these individuals, preventing cicatricial sequelae and reducing its impact on quality of life.

Case report: Cannabinoid therapy for discoid lupus erythematosus in a dog.

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a common autoimmune skin disease in dogs. Conventional treatments, such as corticosteroids, can be effective but often have side effects. This case report presents a successful use of cannabinoid therapy (CT) in a dog with DLE resistant to conventional treatment. A 2-year-old mixed-breed dog with a history of DLE presented with worsening lesions despite treatment with corticosteroids and other medications. Liver enzymes levels were elevated, indicating corticosteroid-induced side effects. CT with a CBD-rich full spectrum Cannabis oil was initiated. The dosage was gradually adjusted until the minimum effective dose was found. Within a few weeks of starting CT, the dog showed significant improvement in skin lesions and in liver enzymes levels. After 1 year, the dog remains clinically stable on a low dose of full-spectrum CBD-rich oil. No evidence of DLE recurrence was observed. This case suggests that CT may be a viable alternative or complementary therapy for DLE in dogs, particularly for those experiencing adverse effects from conventional treatments. Further research is warranted to confirm the efficacy and safety of CT for DLE management in dogs.

Case report of canine discoid lupus erythematosus in Guatemala.

An 11-year-old male Golden Retriever was presented for consultation due to a chronic progressive lesion on the nose that had started a year before. The majority of the nasal mucosa was affected, with the disruption of the normal architecture, pigment atrophy and abundant peeling on the rostral plane. Histopathology revealed a band of lichenoid infiltrate at the interface and vacuolation of the cells in the basal layer consistent with a diagnosis of canine discoid lupus erythematosus.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising in Discoid Lupus Erythematosus of the Nail Unit.

Introduction: Discoid lupus erythematosus can affect periungual tissues leading to onychodystrophy. Squamous cell carcinoma can occur in persistent scars of discoid lupus; this rare occurrence has not yet been reported on the nail unit. Case presentation: we report a case of squamous cell carcinoma occurring on the distal phalanx of the thumb in a patient with longstanding periungual discoid lupus on several fingernails. Discussion: Periungual discoid lupus erythematosus is rare. The scars caused by this disease can very rarely develop into squamous cell carcinoma. This is the first report of this occurrence at the periungual tissues.

Scarring Alopecia.

African hair shaft and pigmented scalp have unique features that challenge diagnosis in scarring alopecia. In addition, Black patients may associate 2 or more types of hair disorders. Therefore, it is imperative to understand their findings thoroughly to establish a good diagnosis. Differential diagnosis on the frontal scalp includes traction alopecia and frontal fibrosing alopecia. Disorders such as central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, fibrosing alopecia in a pattern distribution, discoid lupus erythematosus, and lichen planopilaris usually affect the middle scalp. Folliculitis decalvans, dissecting cellulitis, and acne keloidalis nuchae are the main differential diagnosis of the posterior scalp.

Treatment of discoid lupus erythematosus in a dog with human intravenous immunoglobulin

Background: Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a common canine autoimmune skin disease, in which systemic manifestations are absent. Skin Lesions are usually present on the nasal planum, and characterised by erythema, depigmentation, erosion, ulceration, and crusting. The diagnosis is based on histopathological results, which should demonstrate lymphoplasmacytic lichenoid-interface dermatitis. Human intravenous immunoglobulin (hIVIg) has been used in veterinary medicine to treat cutaneous diseases including erythema multiforme, PF, and severe adverse cutaneous drug reactions. In human medicine, it has been effective to treat DLE. This report firstly describes the clinical response to hIVIg in a dog with DLE resistant to common immunosuppressive drugs. Case: A 5-year-old, intact female Shih Tzu presented with a 1-month history of slowly progressive black crusting on the nasal planum, chin, and claw. Based on the results of a dermatologic examination, superficial pyoderma was diagnosed. The skin lesions did not improve during and after anti-infective treatment. After removing the crusts, a skin biopsy was obtained from the muzzle. Histopathology of lesional skin biopsy specimens revealed lymphoplasmacytic interface dermatitis at the dermoepidermal junction. Microscopic examination also revealed vacuolar changes and pigmentary incontinence of the basal layer as a lichenoid tissue reaction. No mites or fungi were detected on the skin section. The absence of acantholytic cells excluded pemphigus foliaceus, which is also characterised by the lesions of the nasal planum. Based on the distribution of the lesions, histopathology and exclusion of other dermatoses, the dog was diagnosed with DLE. The skin lesions temporarily improved after treatment with prednisolone (2 mg/kg PO q12h). However, after tapering the dose of prednisolone, new black crusts developed on the nasal planum and claw. Although the dog was successively treated with other immunosuppressive drugs, including azathioprine, cyclosporin with dexamethasone, and mycophenolate mofetil, black crusts still remained. Due to the low efficacy of these immunosuppressive drugs, hIVIg was administered at 0.5 g/kg once daily for 4 days, for a total dose of 2 g/kg. During hIVIg administration, the crusted lesions gradually improved. After the hIVIg administration, the dog was treated with prednisolone (1 mg/kg PO q12h). The lesions were almost in complete remission at 21 days after an additional application of prednisolone. The skin lesions did not recur, and the treatment was eventually discontinued after 6 weeks of additional prednisolone application. Discussion: The standard treatment of canine DLE includes glucocorticoids, and second-line immunosuppressive drugs, such as azathioprine and cyclosporine, are usually added in cases resistant to steroids. This case suggests that hIVIg may be beneficial as an adjunctive treatment option for canine DLE, especially when the application of standard immunosuppressive drugs is limited due to adverse effects or low efficacy. There is evidence from several studies that the steroid-sparing effect of hIVIg is significant in human patients. In the current case, the effective dose of prednisolone was reduced to 2 mg/kg/day after hIVIg administration, and prednisolone therapy was finally discontinued completely. The hIVIg appears to lower the daily steroid dose requirement in this dog.

Trigeminal trophic syndrome: an important simulator of discoid cutaneous lupus erythematosus - a case series.

Trigeminal trophic syndrome occurs secondary to trigeminal nerve injury, leading to anaesthesia and paraesthesia, with consequent vigorous facial skin manipulation and lesion production, simulating other facial diseases such as ulcerative discoid lupus erythematosus, tumours and other artificially produced lesions. Ulceration and destruction of the ala nasi is a typical feature besides scratching end excoriations in the cutaneous segment affected. In this series, we present the features of five patients with trigeminal trophic syndrome, highlighting possible confusion with cutaneous lupus. Differential diagnoses, including discoid lupus erythematosus, are discussed, as well as possible treatment modalities.

Chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus presenting as atypical acneiform and comedonal plaque: case report and literature review.

Introduction Chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE) usually presents as characteristic erythematous patches and infiltrated coin-shaped plaques. However, there are some atypical clinical variants that may mimic other dermatological conditions. Haroon et al. reported in 1972 an unusual presentation of CCLE with hypertrophic follicular scars seen in acne vulgaris. Acneiform presentation is one of the most rarely reported and one of the most confusing, as it resembles a very common inflammatory skin disease. A brief review of the literature using PubMed found only nine other reports. Case report A 32-year-old woman presented with two-year pruritic infiltrated acneiform and comedonal eruption on the right chin treated as acne with isotretinoin without improvement. On examination the patient presented with erythematous-infiltrated plaque, papules, open comedones, pitting scars and hypopigmented atrophic scars on the right chin area and scalp hair loss. An incisional skin biopsy on the chin and scalp lesions was performed and the anatomopathological and immunofluorescence exam showed findings that are consistent with CCLE. Additional tests ruled out systemic involvement. The patient was treated with prednisone and chloroquine diphosphate with great improvement. After four years the lesion is stable, with some scarring. Discussion In a literature review we found nine other cases of acneiform presentation of lupus erythematosus: Three cases were systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and seven others were diagnosed as CCLE (including our patient). All three patients who had SLE tested positive for antinuclear antibodies (ANA), and only one patient with CCLE, had a low titer of positive ANA (1:80). Ages varied from 24 to 60 years old, with a median of 32 years old, the same as our patient's age and consistent with the literature. Seven were females and three were males, with a ratio of 2.3:1. Most cases, such as our patient, showed acneiform lesions mainly on the face, a common site of typical CCLE. The present case and literature review illustrates the need to expand the differential diagnosis of atypical acneiform and comedonal lesions. CCLE should be considered especially in a localized lesion, which can be itchy and does not improve with conventional treatment for acne vulgaris.

Classifying discoid lupus erythematosus: background, gaps, and difficulties.

To inform our ongoing efforts to develop defining features to be incorporated into a novel set of classification criteria for discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), we conducted a literature review using the Ovid MEDLINE database. A search was performed to identify studies reporting criteria used to distinguish DLE from other cutaneous lupus erythematosus subtypes. We examined which clinical, histopathologic, and serologic features have data to support their use as effective features in distinguishing DLE from other potential disease mimickers and cutaneous lupus subsets. Through our search, we were also able to identify gaps that exist in the literature which can inform future directions for research endeavors. We found that localization of lesions, characteristic features of damage, and the absence of high titer Ro/SSA antibody seem most effective in differentiating DLE from other cutaneous lupus erythematosus subtypes. Histopathologic features and class of immunoreactant deposition appear to be less helpful.

Correlation between histopathological findings and results of direct immunofluorescence in the diagnosis of canine localized cutaneous chronic lupus erythematosus

Background: Localized chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE), also known as discoid lupus erythematosus, is one of the most prevalent canine autoimmune skin diseases. Histopathology is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of CCLE and the accuracy of which can be increased by use of direct immunofluorescence (DIF). This study aimed to investigate the fluorescence pattern revealed by DIF in cases of canine localized CCLE and to establish and compare its effectiveness with that obtained from histopathology.Materials, Methods & Results: Eleven dogs suspicious to localized CCLE, i.e., those animals that presented mucocutaneous lesions as erythema, leucoderma, erosive-ulcerative lesions, and loss of nasal planum architecture and its transition to the haired skin underwent medical physical and laboratory examinations (blood count, platelet count, determination of alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, serum albumin, urea, creatinine). Only those animals that proved to be normal across both the physical and laboratorial evaluation were included in Group I. Animals belonging to this group were submitted to general anesthesia to biopsy two samples of lesioned skin from nasal planum to histopathologic examination and DIF test. Five dogs with no skin lesions were included in Group II as negative control to the DIF assay. Two samples of no lesioned skin from nasal planum were biopsied to histopathologic and DIF evaluation. The kappa (k) coefficient was used to determine the degree of agreement and reliability of the results of both tests. A P-value < 5% was considered to be statistically significant. In Group I, all animals were normal across both the physical and laboratorial evaluation. A diagnosis of canine CCLE was established in 81.8% (9/11) of the animals based on histopathology analysis.[...](AU)

Correlation between histopathological findings and results of direct immunofluorescence in the diagnosis of canine localized cutaneous chronic lupus erythematosus

Background: Localized chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE), also known as discoid lupus erythematosus, is one of the most prevalent canine autoimmune skin diseases. Histopathology is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of CCLE and the accuracy of which can be increased by use of direct immunofluorescence (DIF). This study aimed to investigate the fluorescence pattern revealed by DIF in cases of canine localized CCLE and to establish and compare its effectiveness with that obtained from histopathology.Materials, Methods & Results: Eleven dogs suspicious to localized CCLE, i.e., those animals that presented mucocutaneous lesions as erythema, leucoderma, erosive-ulcerative lesions, and loss of nasal planum architecture and its transition to the haired skin underwent medical physical and laboratory examinations (blood count, platelet count, determination of alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, serum albumin, urea, creatinine). Only those animals that proved to be normal across both the physical and laboratorial evaluation were included in Group I. Animals belonging to this group were submitted to general anesthesia to biopsy two samples of lesioned skin from nasal planum to histopathologic examination and DIF test. Five dogs with no skin lesions were included in Group II as negative control to the DIF assay. Two samples of no lesioned skin from nasal planum were biopsied to histopathologic and DIF evaluation. The kappa (k) coefficient was used to determine the degree of agreement and reliability of the results of both tests. A P-value < 5% was considered to be statistically significant. In Group I, all animals were normal across both the physical and laboratorial evaluation. A diagnosis of canine CCLE was established in 81.8% (9/11) of the animals based on histopathology analysis.[...]

Correlation between Histopathological Findings and Results of Direct Immunofluorescence in the Diagnosis of Canine Localized Cutaneous Chronic Lupus Erythematosus

Background: Localized chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE), also known as discoid lupus erythematosus, is one of the most prevalent canine autoimmune skin diseases. Histopathology is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of CCLE and the accuracy of which can be increased by use of direct immunofluorescence (DIF). This study aimed to investigate the fluorescence pattern revealed by DIF in cases of canine localized CCLE and to establish and compare its effectiveness with that obtained from histopathology.Materials, Methods & Results: Eleven dogs suspicious to localized CCLE, i.e., those animals that presented mucocutaneous lesions as erythema, leucoderma, erosive-ulcerative lesions, and loss of nasal planum architecture and its transition to the haired skin underwent medical physical and laboratory examinations (blood count, platelet count, determination of alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, serum albumin, urea, creatinine). Only those animals that proved to be normal across both the physical and laboratorial evaluation were included in Group I. Animals belonging to this group were submitted to general anesthesia to biopsy two samples of lesioned skin from nasal planum to histopathologic examination and DIF test. Five dogs with no skin lesions were included in Group II as negative control to the DIF assay. Two samples of no lesioned sk

Correlation between Histopathological Findings and Results of Direct Immunofluorescence in the Diagnosis of Canine Localized Cutaneous Chronic Lupus Erythematosus

Background: Localized chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE), also known as discoid lupus erythematosus, is one of the most prevalent canine autoimmune skin diseases. Histopathology is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of CCLE and the accuracy of which can be increased by use of direct immunofluorescence (DIF). This study aimed to investigate the fluorescence pattern revealed by DIF in cases of canine localized CCLE and to establish and compare its effectiveness with that obtained from histopathology.Materials, Methods & Results: Eleven dogs suspicious to localized CCLE, i.e., those animals that presented mucocutaneous lesions as erythema, leucoderma, erosive-ulcerative lesions, and loss of nasal planum architecture and its transition to the haired skin underwent medical physical and laboratory examinations (blood count, platelet count, determination of alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, serum albumin, urea, creatinine). Only those animals that proved to be normal across both the physical and laboratorial evaluation were included in Group I. Animals belonging to this group were submitted to general anesthesia to biopsy two samples of lesioned skin from nasal planum to histopathologic examination and DIF test. Five dogs with no skin lesions were included in Group II as negative control to the DIF assay. Two samples of no lesioned sk

Correlation between Histopathological Findings and Results of Direct Immunofluorescence in the Diagnosis of Canine Localized Cutaneous Chronic Lupus Erythematosus

Background: Localized chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE), also known as discoid lupus erythematosus, is one of the most prevalent canine autoimmune skin diseases. Histopathology is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of CCLE and the accuracy of which can be increased by use of direct immunofluorescence (DIF). This study aimed to investigate the fluorescence pattern revealed by DIF in cases of canine localized CCLE and to establish and compare its effectiveness with that obtained from histopathology.Materials, Methods & Results: Eleven dogs suspicious to localized CCLE, i.e., those animals that presented mucocutaneous lesions as erythema, leucoderma, erosive-ulcerative lesions, and loss of nasal planum architecture and its transition to the haired skin underwent medical physical and laboratory examinations (blood count, platelet count, determination of alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, serum albumin, urea, creatinine). Only those animals that proved to be normal across both the physical and laboratorial evaluation were included in Group I. Animals belonging to this group were submitted to general anesthesia to biopsy two samples of lesioned skin from nasal planum to histopathologic examination and DIF test. Five dogs with no skin lesions were included in Group II as negative control to the DIF assay. Two samples of no lesioned sk

Correlation between Histopathological Findings and Results of Direct Immunofluorescence in the Diagnosis of Canine Localized Cutaneous Chronic Lupus Erythematosus

Background: Localized chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE), also known as discoid lupus erythematosus, is one of the most prevalent canine autoimmune skin diseases. Histopathology is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of CCLE and the accuracy of which can be increased by use of direct immunofluorescence (DIF). This study aimed to investigate the fluorescence pattern revealed by DIF in cases of canine localized CCLE and to establish and compare its effectiveness with that obtained from histopathology.Materials, Methods & Results: Eleven dogs suspicious to localized CCLE, i.e., those animals that presented mucocutaneous lesions as erythema, leucoderma, erosive-ulcerative lesions, and loss of nasal planum architecture and its transition to the haired skin underwent medical physical and laboratory examinations (blood count, platelet count, determination of alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, serum albumin, urea, creatinine). Only those animals that proved to be normal across both the physical and laboratorial evaluation were included in Group I. Animals belonging to this group were submitted to general anesthesia to biopsy two samples of lesioned skin from nasal planum to histopathologic examination and DIF test. Five dogs with no skin lesions were included in Group II as negative control to the DIF assay. Two samples of no lesioned sk

Correlation between Histopathological Findings and Results of Direct Immunofluorescence in the Diagnosis of Canine Localized Cutaneous Chronic Lupus Erythematosus

Background: Localized chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE), also known as discoid lupus erythematosus, is one of the most prevalent canine autoimmune skin diseases. Histopathology is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of CCLE and the accuracy of which can be increased by use of direct immunofluorescence (DIF). This study aimed to investigate the fluorescence pattern revealed by DIF in cases of canine localized CCLE and to establish and compare its effectiveness with that obtained from histopathology.Materials, Methods & Results: Eleven dogs suspicious to localized CCLE, i.e., those animals that presented mucocutaneous lesions as erythema, leucoderma, erosive-ulcerative lesions, and loss of nasal planum architecture and its transition to the haired skin underwent medical physical and laboratory examinations (blood count, platelet count, determination of alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, serum albumin, urea, creatinine). Only those animals that proved to be normal across both the physical and laboratorial evaluation were included in Group I. Animals belonging to this group were submitted to general anesthesia to biopsy two samples of lesioned skin from nasal planum to histopathologic examination and DIF test. Five dogs with no skin lesions were included in Group II as negative control to the DIF assay. Two samples of no lesioned sk

Correlation between Histopathological Findings and Results of Direct Immunofluorescence in the Diagnosis of Canine Localized Cutaneous Chronic Lupus Erythematosus

Background: Localized chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE), also known as discoid lupus erythematosus, is one of the most prevalent canine autoimmune skin diseases. Histopathology is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of CCLE and the accuracy of which can be increased by use of direct immunofluorescence (DIF). This study aimed to investigate the fluorescence pattern revealed by DIF in cases of canine localized CCLE and to establish and compare its effectiveness with that obtained from histopathology.Materials, Methods & Results: Eleven dogs suspicious to localized CCLE, i.e., those animals that presented mucocutaneous lesions as erythema, leucoderma, erosive-ulcerative lesions, and loss of nasal planum architecture and its transition to the haired skin underwent medical physical and laboratory examinations (blood count, platelet count, determination of alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, serum albumin, urea, creatinine). Only those animals that proved to be normal across both the physical and laboratorial evaluation were included in Group I. Animals belonging to this group were submitted to general anesthesia to biopsy two samples of lesioned skin from nasal planum to histopathologic examination and DIF test. Five dogs with no skin lesions were included in Group II as negative control to the DIF assay. Two samples of no lesioned sk

Frontal fibrosing alopecia in association with Sjögren's syndrome: more than a simple coincidence

Abstract Frontal fibrosing alopecia is a distinctive form of scarring alopecia considered to be a clinical variant of lichen planopilaris. It predominantly occurs in postmenopausal women and has a slowly progressive course. It was first described by Kossard in 1994. Since then the number of reported cases has increased significantly. Coexistence of frontal fibrosing alopecia and autoimmune disorders - such as discoid erythematosus lupus and Sjögren's syndrome - may suggest a common pathogenic background among the diseases.

Classifying discoid lupus erythematosus: background, gaps, and difficulties.

To inform our ongoing efforts to develop defining features to be incorporated into a novel set of classification criteria for discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), we conducted a literature review using the Ovid MEDLINE database. A search was performed to identify studies reporting criteria used to distinguish DLE from other cutaneous lupus erythematosus subtypes. We examined which clinical, histopathologic, and serologic features have data to support their use as effective features in distinguishing DLE from other potential disease mimickers and cutaneous lupus subsets. Through our search, we were also able to identify gaps that exist in the literature which can inform future directions for research endeavors. We found that localization of lesions, characteristic features of damage, and the absence of high titer Ro/SSA antibody seem most effective in differentiating DLE from other cutaneous lupus erythematosus subtypes. Histopathologic features and class of immunoreactant deposition appear to be less helpful.