Cutaneous Toll-like Receptor 9 Pre-Defines Hydroxychloroquine Dosage in Patients with Both Discoid and Subacute Lupus Erythematosus.

Background and Objectives: Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) presents clinically heterogeneous manifestations, partially explained by the different expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) type 8 and 9, located to endosomal compartments where they are poised to recognize microbial nucleic acids. This disease is empirically treated with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), which is hallmarked with a safe and effective profile, but induces a slow and sometimes clinically insufficient therapeutic response. Currently, no biomarkers predictive of response are validated or even proposed in the scientific literature. We aimed to evaluate endosomal TLR type 7, 8 and 9 as predictive biomarkers of HCQ efficacy. Materials and Methods: We conducted a case-control study comparing CLE patients retrospectively assigned to three subgroups based on 3-6-month Cutaneous LE Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) reduction upon treatment with HCQ (I = <40% vs. II = 40-80% vs. III = >80%). Before HCQ, lesional skin specimens were collected in untreated CLE and through immunohistochemistry; TLR-7, -8 and -9 expression was evaluated in the epidermis and the lymphocytic infiltrate was evaluated in the dermis. Results: Sixty-six lesional skin biopsies were compared with healthy controls. CLE patients displayed lower epidermal expression of total TLR 8 and 9 as well as infiltrating TLR-8, TLR9 + lymphocytes compared to controls. High HCQ responders differed from low responders for TLR-9 positivity (high vs. low) and for the lymphocytic dermal infiltrate (high vs. low). Conclusions: TLR9 could be envisaged as a possible biomarker to predict HCQ response level and dosage in CLE patients.

Proton pump inhibitors-related subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus: Clinical characteristics, management, and outcome.

PURPOSE: Previous knowledge about the association between proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) exposure and subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) was mainly based on limited case reports or few review studies. We aim to evaluate the clinical characteristics, management, and outcome in patients with PPIs-induced SCLE. METHODS: Case reports and case series from 2000 to December 31, 2021, on SCLE induced by PPIs were collected and retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 29 patients (6 male and 23 female) were included from 19 studies, the median age was 61 years (range 19-85), and 65.5% of patients were ≥60 years old. 37.9% of patients had the history of autoimmune diseases. The incubation period of PPIs intro to SCLE was 6 weeks for PPI-naive patients and 2 weeks for those re-administration of PPIs. The most common symptoms were annular and polycyclic erythematous (74.1%), rash or maculopapular (48.1%), and scaly plaques (40.7%). Trunk (69.2%), extremities (69.2%), face (26.9%), chest (26.9%), and back (26.9%) were common involved locations. Antinuclear antibodies, anti-Ro/SSA antibodies, and anti-La/SSB antibodies were positive in 24 patients (82.8%), 24 patients (82.8%), and 6 patients (20.7%), respectively. Direct immunofluorescence was positive in 50% of cases. Complete clinical remission (92.6%) was observed (median time: 4 weeks) with discontinuation of PPIs and treatment of oral corticosteroids (61.1%), hydroxychloroquine (44.4%), or topical steroids (16.7%). CONCLUSION: PPIs-related SCLE is a rare adverse reaction based on clinical manifestations associated with immunological abnormalities and suggestive histological findings. PPIs should be suspected when considering possible culprits for drug-related SCLE.

Mimics of Dermatitis.

Dermatitis is a common condition frequently encountered by dermatologists. The diagnosis of dermatitis can be challenging because this condition is often multifactorial, and many skin diseases that can mimic dermatitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis. It is important to recognize and be familiar with these conditions because some of them can represent signs of systemic disease or malignancies and misdiagnosis can lead to mismanagement and adverse outcomes for the patient.

A Case of Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus That Simultaneously Presented with Papulosquamous and Annular Lesions / 대한피부과학회지

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) includes the papulosquamous and annular-polycyclic variants that present with psoriasiform lesions and annular/polycyclic erythema, respectively. Most patients predominantly have either one or the other subtype, but it is rare that patients have a combination of both lesions. A 13-year-old boy had both erythematous, well-defined, annular-shaped patches and erythematous, ill-defined, hyperkeratotic scaly patches that were scattered on the entire body. Although his clinical manifestations seemed typical for SCLE, his laboratory findings were all negative for LE-specific autoantibodies, including ANA, anti-Ro/SS-A antibody, anti-La/SS-B antibody, anti-dsDNA antibody, etc. The characteristic histopathological features for lupus erythematosus and the granular deposition of IgG and C3 along the dermo-epidermal junction, as detected by direct immunofluorescence testing of lesional skin biopsy specimens, could lead us to the diagnosis of SCLE. We herein report on a case of SCLE that simultaneously presented with both papulosquamous and annular-shaped lesions.

Lupus eritematoso cutáneo subagudo (LECSA): a propósito de 17 casos con anticuerpo anti-Ro positivo / Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE): 17 patients with anti-Ro antibodies

Se presentan, analizan y comparan con otras series los hallazgos dermatológicos, clínicos, histopatológicos e inmunológicos de 17 casos de lupus eritematoso cutáneo subagudo (LECSA) con anticuerpos (Ac) anti-Ro positivos.Las manifestaciones dermatológicas de nuestros pacientes fueron lesiones papuloescamosas policíclicas, más frecuentes que las psoriasiformes. Se localizaban preferentemente en miembros superiores, dorso y zonas de exposición sola. Presentaban un borde eritematovesiculoso bien delimitado. Otras lesiones adoptaron la forma de reloj de arena. Estas manifestaciones fueron recurrentes con períodos de actividad y calma. También fueron relevantes la fotosensibilidad, la hipopigmentación y, en algunos casos, discreta atrofia. Histopatológicamente lo más destacable fue la degeneración vacuolar de la capa basal de queratinocitos y la ausencia de hiperqueratosis folicular, diferenciándose del lupus eritematoso discoide crónico (LEDC). Las restantes lesiones se parecían a las del lupus eritematosos sistémico (LES), pero con menor intensidad. Hubo poco engrosamiento de la menbrana basal PAS positiva, y el infiltrado linfocitario subpapilar y perivascular fue escaso. En algunos casos se demostró edema dérmico alcian blue positivo, poniendo de manifiesto la presencia de mucina. A diferencia de lo relatado por otros autores, encontramos discreta atrofia en 4 pacientes. Lo más significativo de los exámenes inmunológicos fue la presencia del Ac anti-Ro en el 100% de los enfermos y el anti-La solo en el 17,6%. Fue criterio de inclusión para esta serie tener anti-Ro positivo con anti-ADN y anti-Sm negativos. El FAN fue positivo en el 70%. Con respecto a las manifestaciones clínicas generales, se observaron artritis/artralgias en el 100% de los casos. Las lesiones fueron simétricas, no erosivas ni deformantes. Un solo enfermo tuvo pleuresia y glomerulonefritis crónica difusa...

Clinical, histopathologic, and immunological findings in 17 patients with subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) and Roantibodies are described. Skin manifestations consisted of recurrent, polycyclical, circumscribed papulosquamous, psoriasiform, or hourglass-like lesions with vesiculoerythematous borders, mainly on the upper limbs, back, and sun-exposed areas. Photosensitivity, hypopigmentation, and occasionally mild atrophy were also noted. Histopathologic features included vacuolar degenerative changes involving keratinocyte basement membrane. Unlike chronic discoid lupus erythematosus lesions, follicular hyperkeratosis was absent. Although other characteristics were similar to those seen in systemic lupus erythematosus patients, specimens from SCLE showed less basement membrane thickening and inflammatory cell infiltrates. A few samples revealed positive alcian blue staining for dermal mucin. Only four patients had moderateatrophy. Since only Ro-positive, and DNA- and Sm-negative patients were assessed, immunological studies showed Ro antibodies in 100%of cases and La antibodies in 17.6%. FAN measurements using rat liver and Hep-2 cells were positive in 70% of patients. SCLE was associated with symmetrical, non-erosive, and non-deforming arthritis/arthralgia in all patients, vasculitis in three (17.8%), Raynaud’s syndrome in two (11.8%), pleuritis and chronic glomerulonephritis in one, and panniculitis in one. Ro antibody screening tests were reviewed.