Histopathological features of pemphigoid gestationis and polymorphic eruption of pregnancy: A blinded retrospective comparative study of 31 cases.

BACKGROUND: Pemphigoid gestationis (PG) and polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP) are pregnancy-related dermatoses. Definitive diagnosis often relies upon histopathology and direct immunofluorescence (DIF). PG is associated with fetal and neonatal risks, while PEP confers minimal risk. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare histopathologic features to determine key differentiators. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of PG and PEP cases, with accompanying DIF, conducted from 1995 to 2020. Skin biopsies were examined independently in a blinded fashion by two dermatopathologists for a list of histopathological features. RESULTS: Twenty-one cases of PG and 10 cases of PEP were identified. PG had significantly denser eosinophils than PEP (mean 155 vs. 48 cells/5 hpf; p < 0.018). PG was also noted to have eosinophilic spongiosis and eosinophils at the dermal-epidermal junction more frequently compared to PEP (80% PG vs. 10% PEP; p < 0.001). A mean cutoff value of 86 eosinophils and a mean optimal sensitivity and specificity of 81% and 83%, respectively, for eosinophils density's diagnostic power of PEP versus PG were achieved. Subepithelial separation was exclusively seen in PG (40% vs. 0%; p < 0.007). CONCLUSION: Eosinophilic spongiosis, eosinophilic epitheliotropism, and dense superficial dermal eosinophils were diagnostic of PG. Given overlapping clinicopathologic features, however, DIF results with clinicopathologic correlation, remain the gold standard.

Subepithelial autoimmune blistering dermatoses: Clinical features and diagnosis.

Subepithelial autoimmune blistering dermatoses are a group of rare skin disorders that are characterized by the disruption of the dermal-epidermal junction through the action of autoantibodies. The third article in this continuing medical education series explores the background, epidemiology, clinical features, and diagnostic criteria of each of the major subepithelial autoimmune blistering dermatoses, including bullous pemphigoid, pemphigoid gestationis, lichen planus pemphigoides, mucous membrane pemphigoid, linear IgA bullous dermatosis, and dermatitis herpetiformis.

Tratamiento con inmunoglobulinas intravenosas del penfigoide gestacional refractario al tratamiento convencional / Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy for Gestational Pemphigoid Refractory to Conventional Treatment

No disponible

[Pemphigoid gestationis after egg donation : A case report]. / Pemphigoid gestationis bei Eizellspende : Ein Fallbericht.

Pemphigoid gestationis (PG) is a blistering autoimmune skin disease, typically occurring in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. Aberrant expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules on the chorionic villi seems to lead to antibody production against bullous pemphigoid (BP)-180. We report a case of PG in a woman whose pregnancy was achieved using egg donation. Since the entire fetal genome is allogeneic to the mother, augmented immune reaction in egg-donated pregnancies appears to trigger the occurrence of PG.

Autoimmune bullous diseases during pregnancy: insight into pathogenetic mechanisms and clinical features.

Pemphigoid gestationis (PG), also known as herpes gestationis, is the prototypic pregnancy-associated autoimmune bullous disease (AIBD), but also the other AIBDs, notably pemphigus vulgaris, may begin or exacerbate during pregnancy. Although the increase in concentration of T and B regulatory cells makes pregnancy a state of increased immunologic tolerance toward the semiallogeneic fetal antigens, a prevalent T helper (Th) 2 profile, that is reported to be associated with pregnancy, may cause exacerbation of pemphigus and AIBDs in general during this period. Active disease may lead to stillbirth, spontaneous abortion, preterm pregnancy, low birthweight, and neonatal pemphigus. PG is a rare AIBD usually starting during the third trimester of pregnancy and healing in the postpartum. It is due to the formation of autoantibodies directed against different epitopes of bullous pemphigoid (BP) 180 as a consequence of the aberrant expression of BP180 in the placental tissue of genetically predisposed women. PG is characterized by vesicles with herpetiform distribution, blisters and urticarial elements typically involving the periumbilical area and the distal portion of the upper limbs. Diagnosis is based on: 1) physical examination; 2) histopathological pattern consisting of a dermal inflammatory infiltrate rich in eosinophils; 3) direct immunofluorescence test demonstrating linear deposits of complement fraction 3 and immunoglobulin G along the basement membrane zone; 4) detection of circulating autoantibodies by means of indirect immunofluorescence or enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Here, we provide an updated overview on the pathophysiologic mechanisms of pregnancy-associated or pregnancy-exacerbated AIBDs, focusing also on peculiar clinical features of these disorders.

Urticarial Lesions in a Pregnant Woman.

Dear Editor, Gestational pemphigoid (GP) is a rare autoimmune bullous dermatosis in pregnancy. GP usually occurs during the second or third month of pregnancy. It clinically manifests as the development of either early-onset urticarial lesions or late-onset subepidermal blisters that may linger for weeks or even months. Herein we report the case of a 45-year-old woman with the distinctive clinical onset of GP. A forty-five-year-old woman, gravida I, para 0, at 27 weeks gestation, was referred for evaluation to our Department with an extensive pruritic eruption that had developed over the previous 7 days. The lesions had first appeared on the proximal thighs and extended progressively to the abdomen. On physical examination, numerous round urticarial plaques of approximately 1 cm in diameter were noted on her abdomen, involving the periumbilical area. Her thighs and back were also affected (Figures 1 and 2). The palms and soles were spared. No mucosal involvement was seen. The patient medical history was unremarkable, and she denied use of any other medications or herbal remedies at the time the symptoms started or since. No other symptoms but pruritus were referred. Laboratory studies, including complete blood cell count, coagulation tests, and renal and hepatic function were all normal. A punch biopsy was taken from an urticarial plaque and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Histological examination found spongiosis in combination with an intraepidermal eosinophilic infiltrate, without the development of blisters (Figure 3). Direct immunofluorescence of perilesional skin showed linear deposition of complement (C3) along the basement membrane zone (Figure 4). Serum antibody titers for BP180NC16a were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We established a diagnosis of gestational pemphigoid. Our patient was treated with systemic glucocorticoids, no blisters developed, and lesions cleared 8 weeks after delivery. The newborn girl did not developed neonatal gestational pemphigoid. Gestational pemphigoid, originally misnamed herpes gestationis, is a rare autoimmune bullous dermatosis in pregnancy. Single cases have been also described in patients with molar pregnancies and trophoblastic tumors (1). Its etiology is based in the development of autoantibodies against the fetoplacental unit, triggering an autoimmune response against both skin and amnion hemidesmosomal proteins, mainly BP180, but also BP230 and type VII collagen. An association with HLA-DR3 and HLA-DR4 has been described (2). GP usually occurs during the second or third month of pregnancy, but it may appear at any time during pregnancy or puerperium. In the vast majority of cases, symptoms alleviate a few weeks before delivery, but they reemerge at the time of delivery. Recurrences are frequent in following pregnancies, with an earlier onset and more severe symptoms, and may occur during subsequent menstruations or hormonal contraceptive use (1). GP clinically consists of the development of either early-onset urticarial lesions or late-onset subepidermal blisters that mat linger for weeks or even months. They generally appear on the abdomen, specifically in the periumbilical area, with posterior widespread extension to proximal limbs. Facial and mucosal lesions are uncommon (1). Histopathological studies are necessary to establish the diagnosis. These findings vary depending on the stage and severity of the disease and include subepidermal blisters, papillary dermal edema, eosinophilic spongiosis, and a polymorphous perivascular inflammatory cell infiltrate with a predominance of eosinophils. Direct immunofluorescence of perilesional skin shows a linear deposition of C3 along the basement membrane zone in all cases. IgG deposits can also be seen (3). These deposits are located within the lamina lucida and localized to the proximal part of anchoring filaments of the epidermal fragment of salt-split skin (4). Moreover, immunoblot and ELISA of the NC16a domain of BP180 RP are highly sensitive diagnostic methods in GP (5). The aim of treatment is to alleviate the pruritus and prevent formation of new blisters. Topical corticosteroids and oral antihistamines may be used in mild cases. Systemic corticosteroids are the treatment of choice in moderate to severe cases. Other treatments that have been used are cyclophosphamide, dapsone, gold, methotrexate, and plasmapheresis (5).

Pemphigoid gestationis: a case series and review of the literature.

Pemphigoid gestationis (PG) is a rare autoimmune disease associated with pregnancy. Clinically, it presents with severe pruritus that precedes the appearance of vesiculobullous lesions. It usually begins on the trunk and spread rapidly to other parts of the body. Mucosal lesions and facial involvement are rare. In this article, we are discussing three cases of PG. We will discuss clinical-pathological features and management.

Severe pemphigoid gestationis associated with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis in the setting of a systemic disorder.

Pemphigoid gestationis is a skin-specific autoimmune disorder that can sometimes present as the cutaneous manifestation of a multiorgan disease due to potentially common pathogenic mechanisms. We report a severe form of pemphigoid gestationis in a 32-year-old primigravida woman, who presented at 22 weeks of gestation with headaches and blurred vision, later developing encephalitis, intrauterine fetal demise and dilated cardiomyopathy.

Pruritic postpartum eruption.

Our patient initially blamed the lesions on the surgical tape used after her C-section; a skin biopsy told another story.

Skin disease in pregnancy.

Skin manifestations during pregnancy are common and diversified. This review will focus on the most important entities to be recognized by obstetricians. These are, on the one hand, physiological changes, where unnecessary investigations should be avoided, and on the other, the specific dermatoses of pregnancy. These develop electively in pregnancy, and they are currently grouped into three disorders: polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, atopic eczema of pregnancy, and pemphigoid gestationis. Arguments for recognition of these are presented including detection of anti-BP180 antibodies. Follow-up and treatment depend on the precise diagnosis. Risks in fetal prognosis may occur in rare pemphigoid gestationis cases.

[Herpes gestationis. A case report]. / Herpes gestacional. Reporte de un caso.

Case report. 21 years old woman with 30 week pregnancy, complicated by a 3 month multitreated skin condition, who was referred to General Hospital Morelia, with probable diagnosis of Kapossi sarcoma and sus- pected HIV. She presented with exulcerations involving the palate, lips, chest, abdomen, back and extremities. The lesions were, itchy and painful, with thick yellowish secretion, accompanied by dysphagia to solid foods. Laboratory results showed normochromic normocytic anemia, elevation of ESR, hypocalcaemia, increased PCR, results in alterations in various TORCH listing, HIV negative. The biopsy of a lesion of the forearm reported histological changes consistent with herpes, subsequently confirmed by direct immunofluorescence. Liquid aspiration secretion of one of the lesions reported coagulase negative staphylococcus sp and Enterobacter cloacae. The final diagnosis was 30 weeks pregnant women with gestational herpes complicated by pyogenic infection of the lesions, discarding infection with HIV and found positive for IgG to toxoplasma, rubella, cytomegalovirus and herpes virus.