Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and its components in a Brazilian sample of pemphigus patients

BACKGROUND

Pemphigus foliaceus and pemphigus vulgaris are endemic in the northeastern region of São Paulo State, Brazil. They are treated mainly with systemic corticosteroids, which may provoke osteoporosis; atherosclerosis, higher blood pressure, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, hyperlipidemia and abdominal obesity. These side effects of corticoids also constitute criteria for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and each component of metabolic syndrome in Pemphigus foliaceus and pemphigus vulgaris groups was compared with Brazilian casuistic samples.

METHODS

Data of 147 patients (pemphigus foliaceus 48.9% and pemphigus vulgaris 51.1%) were compiled from medical records regarding metabolic syndrome and its components, and included in the analysis.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference regarding the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in pemphigus groups compared with the Brazilian casuistic samples. The analysis of each component of metabolic syndrome showed a higher prevalence of: higher blood pressure in male subjects with pemphigus vulgaris, and in pemphigus foliaceus in both genders; diabetes mellitus in both genders for pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus; obesity in females for pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus, and hypertriglyceridemia in both genders for pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus groups that were statistically significant compared to the Brazilian reports. Furthermore, the study noted a higher incidence of cardiovascular events in both genders in pemphigus foliaceus and pemphigus vulgaris groups than in Brazilian casuistic samples.

CONCLUSION

The components of metabolic syndrome are more numerous in pemphigus when compared with Brazilian casuistic samples. Future studies are necessary to assure that metabolic syndrome may be associated with pemphigus per se, including a greater casuistic sample of patients who have not taken corticoids.     

Endemic pemphigus in the Peruvian Amazon: epidemiology and risk factors for the development of complications during treatment

BACKGROUND

Pemphigus is an autoimmune blistering disease. According to a report, in areas of endemic pemphigus foliaceus (EPF) in Peru there are cases of pemphigus vulgaris with epidemiologic, clinical and histopathologic characteristics similar to those of "endemic pemphigus vulgaris" (EPV) in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of endemic pemphigus and the risk factors of patients for developing complications during treatment.

METHODS

A study was carried out from July 2003 to March 2008. The study population was 60 patients with EPF and 7 patients with EPV evaluated in hospitals and clinics in the Peruvian Amazon and Lima. A multivariate analysis was carried out using binary logistic regression.

RESULTS

The average age of EPF patients was 31.4 years; 55% were men; 60% presented the generalized clinical variant. Non-compliance with the treatment was seen in 57.1% of the patients. Thirty-five percent presented complications (e.g. pyodermitis and pyelonephritis) during treatment. The risk factors for developing complications during treatment were non-compliance with the treatment and having the generalized clinical form. In the EPV group, the average age was 21.7 years; 71.4% were men. All patients presented with the mucocutaneous clinical variant and the initial presentation consisted of oral mucosa lesions; 71.4% presented complications during treatment, pyodermitis being the most frequent.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-compliance with the treatment and the generalized clinical form are risk factors for the development of complications during treatment of patients with EPF. Peru indeed has EPV cases with epidemiologic characteristics similar to EPF. Living in a rural area may represent a risk factor for the development of complications during treatment of patients with EPV.     

Evaluation of cases of pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus from a reference service in Pará state,Brazil

BACKGROUND

Pemphigusis a bullous, rare and chronic autoimmune disease. There are two major forms of pemphigus: vulgaris and foliaceus. Epidemiological data and clinical outcome in patients diagnosed in the Brazilian Amazon states are still rare.

OBJECTIVES

To study the occurrence of the disease during the study period and analyze the epidemiological profile of patients, the most common subtype of pemphigus, and the clinical evolution of patients.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of medical records of hospitalized patients with pemphigus foliaceus and pemphigus vulgaris in the period from 2003 to 2010 in Dermatology Service of Hospital Fundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará, Belém, Northern Brazil.

RESULTS

We found a total of 20 cases of pemphigus during the study period, 8 of which were of foliaceus pemphigus and 12 of vulgaris pemphigus. Pemphigus foliaceus had the predominance of male patients (75%), showed satisfactory clinical evolution, and was characterized by absence of pediatric cases. Pemphigus vulgaris affected more women (66.7%), showed mean hospital stay of 1 to 3 months (50%), and there were three cases of death (25%). The prescribed immunosuppressive drugs included prednisone with or without combination of azathioprine and/or dapsone. Sepsis was associated with 100% of the deaths.

CONCLUSIONS

The occurrence of the disease is rare, there are no familiar/endemic outbreaks in the sample. Evolution is usually favorable, but secondary infection is associated with worse prognosis. The choice of best drugs to treat pemphigus remains controversial.     

Quality of life index in autoimmune bullous dermatosis patients

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune bullous dermatoses are complex diseases triggered by autoantibodies action against epidermal antigens or the dermoepidermal junction. Blisters and vesicles that evolve with erosion areas characterize them. Although rare, they present high morbidity, affecting the quality of life of patients.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the magnitude of autoimmune bullous dermatoses on life quality of patients treated in a public university service in countryside of Brazil.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was based on an inquiry with autoimmune bullous dermatoses patients assisted at outpatient university referral service. Elements related to quality of life were evaluated by the Dermatology Life Quality Index, as well as clinical and demographic data.

RESULTS

The study evaluated 43 patients with pemphigus foliaceus, 32 with pemphigus vulgaris, 6 with bullous pemphigoid and 3 with dermatitis herpetiformis. The average age was 48 ± 16 years and 34 (40%) were female. The median score (p25-p75) of the Dermatology Life Quality Index was 16 (9-19), classified as "severe impairment" of life quality, in which the greater impact was related to symptoms and feelings, daily and leisure activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Autoimmune bullous dermatoses inflict severe impairment of quality of life for patients followed by a public outpatient clinic in the countryside of Brazil.     

Autoantibodies against desmoglein 2 are not pathogenic in pemphigus

BackgroundAnti-desmoglein 1 and 3 autoantibodies justify acantholysis in pemphigus; however, the pathogenesis of anti-desmoglein 2 is hypothetical.ObjectiveTo compare the participation of desmogleins 1, 2 and 3 through the production of serum autoantibodies, and protein and gene expression in the skin/mucosa of patients with pemphigus foliaceus and pemphigus vulgaris.MethodsThe autoantibodies were titrated by ELISA in 202 samples of pemphigus foliaceus, 131 pemphigus vulgaris, 50 and 57 relatives of patients with pemphigus foliaceus and pemphigus vulgaris, respectively, and 114 controls. Protein and gene expressions were determined by immunohistochemistry and qPCR in the skin/mucosa of 3 patients with pemphigus foliaceus and 3 patients with pemphigus vulgaris.ResultsHigher titers of anti-desmoglein 2 (optical density) resulted in pemphigus foliaceus and pemphigus vulgaris, when compared to controls (0.166; 0.180; 0.102; respectively; p < 0.0001). There was a correlation between anti-desmoglein 2 and anti-desmoglein 1 titers in pemphigus foliaceus (r = 0.1680; p = 0.0206). There was no cross-reaction of anti-desmoglein 2 with desmoglein 1 and 3. Protein overexpression of desmoglein 2 was observed in intact and lesional skin of patients with pemphigus compared to the skin of controls. Internalization granules of desmoglein 1 and 3, but not of desmoglein 2, were observed in lesions of pemphigus foliaceus and pemphigus vulgaris, respectively. Gene overexpression of desmoglein 2 was observed in the mucosa.Study limitationsSmall sample size for the statistical analysis of protein and gene expression.ConclusionAutoantibodies against desmoglein 2 are not pathogenic in pemphigus; protein and gene overexpression of desmoglein 2 in the skin and mucosa may be involved in acantholysis repair.     

Hepatitis C and hepatitis B virus infections in the etiopathogenesis of pemphigus

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that some viral infections may be triggers for autoimmune diseases. The role of viral infections in the etiopathogenesis of pemphigus has also been investigated.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the relationship between pemphigus and the hepatitis B and C virus infections.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 62 patients with pemphigus and 50 healthy controls of matching ages and genders. The control group included relatives who accompanied the orthopedic patients to the hospital but had no history of systemic and/or autoimmune diseases.

RESULTS

The group of patients with pemphigus was composed of 43 (69.3%) females and 19 (29.7%) males, and the mean age was 48.08 ± 15.38. The hepatitis C virus antibody was negative in all of the patients. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb), or both, were studied in 44 of the 62 patients. Two (4.3%) of these patients were positive for HBsAg and found to have HBV infection. Fourteen of them were HBsAb positive. Two (4%) of the 50 control subjects showed hepatitis C virus antibody positivity, while only 1 (2%) patient with pemphigus displayed HBsAg positivity. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups for hepatitis B and C virus infections.

CONCLUSIONS

This study does not support an association between pemphigus and hepatitis B and/or C virus infections.     

Quality of Life Assessment in Korean Patients with Pemphigus

Background

Measuring the quality of life (QOL) is important in the evaluation of nonclinical aspects of diseases, for the discovery of functional and psychological limitations, and in choosing treatment in the initial phase of the disease. Pemphigus is a potentially fatal autoimmune bullous disease caused by autoantibodies against desmogleins (cadherin family proteins in desmosomes). Thus far, there has been no published study on QOL in Korean patients with pemphigus.

Objective

To study the impact of pemphigus on the QOL in a large number of Korean patients.

Methods

Sixty-six patients enrolled at the Gangnam Severance Hospital from March 2012 to March 2013 were assessed for QOL by using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and for anxiety and depression by using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Spearman''s rank-order correlation, t-test, and ANOVA were used to identify the relations between the DLQI score and other clinical variables.

Results

Pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus significantly reduced the QOL of patients. The average DLQI score for all patients was 10.18. The mean DLQI score was 13.45 in patients in the active state and 5.15 in the patients in the remission state. The DLQI score highly correlated with disease severity, titer of anti-desmoglein 1 in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the corticosteroid dose. However, the QOL was not affected by sex, age, subtype of pemphigus, duration of disease, or comorbidities. Forty-two percent of the patients showed a positive result in the GHQ, reflecting probable minor psychiatric nonpsychotic conditions, and the GHQ score positively correlated to the DLQI score.

Conclusion

Pemphigus significantly impairs the QOL of patients. The QOL of Korean pemphigus patients significantly correlates with clinical severity. Therefore, considerable attention should be paid to the patients'' QOL and psychological states as well as clinical status.     

Assessing the autoantibody levels in relation to disease severity and therapy response in pemphigus patients

Background:

In pemphigus, autoantibodies are directed against adhesion molecules, which make the junctions between keratinocytes, and thus determining their level can reflect the disease activity.

Aim:

The purpose of this study is to determine the clinical significance of the autoantibody levels in pemphigus management.

Materials and Methods:

The clinical features of 47 pemphigus vulgaris patients were assessed and patients′ sera were investigated by indirect immunofluorescence using monkey esophagus as a substrate for autoantibody levels.

Results:

We found a significant correlation between antibody titers and mucosal severity scores. Initial antibody titers of the patients with at least one mucosal lesion at the end of the first month of the therapy were found significantly higher than the patients who had no mucosal lesion. With the therapy, lesions resolved earlier than the antibody titers.

Conclusion:

In patients with pemphigus, especially in cases who were not treated before, sera antibody levels are a valuable tool in evaluating disease severity and choosing initial treatment. In patients who had been taking any systemic treatment, it is difficult to make a relationship between antibody levels and disease severity, because therapy improves disease earlier than the antibody titers. However, estimating antibody levels can be helpful for clinicians in disease management, in reducing or ceasing treatment dosage and anticipating recurrence.     

Immunofluorescence testing in the diagnosis of autoimmune blistering diseases: overview of 10-year experience

BACKGROUND

Immunofluorescence testing is an important tool for diagnosing blistering diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the immunofluorescence findings in patients diagnosed with autoimmune blistering skin diseases.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed immunofluorescence results encompassing a 10-year period.

RESULTS

421 patients were included and divided into 2 groups: group 1- intraepidermal blistering diseases (n=277) and 2- subepidermal blistering diseases (n=144). For group 1, positive DIF findings demonstrated: predominance of IgG intercellular staining (ICS) and C3 for pemphigus foliaceus-PF (94% and 73% respectively), pemphigus vulgaris-PV (91.5%-79.5%) and paraneoplastic pemphigus-PNP (66%-33%); ICS IgA in 100% of IgA pemphigus cases, and IgG deposits in the basement membrane zone (BMZ) along with ICS in one Hailey-Hailey patient. The IIF findings revealed mean titers of 1:2.560 for PV and 1:1.280 for PF. For paraneoplastic pemphigus, IIF was positive in 2 out of 3 cases with rat bladder substrate. In group 2, positive DIF findings included multiple deposits at basement membrane zone for epidermolysis bullosa acquisita-EBA (C3-89%,IgG-79%,IgA-47%,IgM-21%) mucous membrane pemphigoid-MMP (C3,IgG,IgA,IgM-80%) and bullous pemphigoid-BP (C3-91%,IgG-39%,IgA-11%,IgM-6%), and IgA at basement membrane zone for IgA linear disease (99%) and dermatitis herpetiformis-DH (dermal papillae in 84.6%). For lichen planus pemphigoides, there was C3 (100%) and IgG (50%) deposition at basement membrane zone. indirect immunofluorescence positive findings revealed basement membrane zone IgG deposits in 46% of BP patients, 50% for EBA, 15% for IgA linear dermatosis and 50% for LPP. Indirect immunofluorescence positive results were higher for BP and EBA with Salt-Split skin substrate.

CONCLUSION

Our results confirmed the importance of immunofluorescence assays in diagnosing autoimmune blistering diseases, and higher sensitivity for indirect immunofluorescence when Salt-split skin technique is performed.     

The Pattern of Hair Dyeing in Koreans with Gray Hair

Background

Hair graying is considered as a part of normal ageing process. Nonetheless, this process raises a significant cosmetic concern, especially among ethnic Korean elderly whose baseline hair color is black. For this reason, Korean elderly dye their hair with frequency despite the risk of dermatologic problems such as allergic contact dermatitis.

Objective

In this study, the authors investigate the prevalence and pattern of hair dyeing and its relation with scalp diseases in Korea.

Methods

Six hundred twenty subjects (330 men and 290 women) with graying hair were given a questionnaire survery and underwent a physical examination.

Results

Of the 620 total, 272 subjects (43.9%) dyed their hair. Hair dyeing was significantly more frequent among women than among men (p<0.001). Subjects from 50 to 69 years of age showed higher prevalence of hair dyeing when compared to either younger or older groups. Subjective self-assessment of the extent of hair graying was associated with increased prevalence of hair dyeing, that is, individuals who feel graying has advanced by more than 20% of the overall hair were much more likely to dye their hair (p<0.001). Hair dyeing did not correlate with either alopecia or scalp disease.

Conclusion

Our survey has found that the prevalence of hair dyeing is higher among Korean women than men. People in their fifties and sixties and people with more than 20% extent of grayness were more likely to dye their hair than otherwise. Hair dyeing was not associated with any increase in the prevalence of scalp diseases.     

Diagnosis and clinical features of pemphigus vulgaris

Autoimmune bullous diseases are associated with autoimmunity against structural components that maintain cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion in the skin and mucous membranes. They include those where the skin blisters at the basement membrane zone and those where the skin blisters within the epidermis (pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceus, and other subtypes of pemphigus). The variants of pemphigus are determined according to the level of intraepidermal split formation. There are 5 main variants of pemphigus: pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceus, pemphigus erythematosus, drug-induced pemphigus, and paraneoplastic pemphigus. This review focuses only on pemphigus vulgaris.     

Dermoscopic and Clinical Features of Pigmented Skin Lesions of the Genital Area

BACKGROUND

The dermoscopic features of vulvar melanosis lesions are well known. To our knowledge, there are only a few case reports about dermoscopic features of pigmented genital lesions in male patients.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate dermoscopic and clinical characteristics of benign lesions of the genital area in both males and females, and to assess the distinguishing dermoscopic criteria of vulvar melanosis and atypical melanocytic nevi of the genital type.

METHODS

68 patients with pigmented genital lesions were included in this observational study (28 male and 40 female). A punch biopsy was taken from all pigmented lesions and histopathological examination was performed on all specimens.

RESULTS

We histopathologically diagnosed: genital melanosis in 40 lesions, atypical melanocytic nevi of the genital type in 15 lesions, melanocytic nevi in 9 lesions, seborrheic keratosis in 4 lesions. The most frequent locations were the glans penis (19 patients, 67.9%) in males and the labia minora (19 patients, 47.5%) in females. The mean age of patients with atypical nevi (28,6 ± 11,36) was significantly lower than the mean age of patients with genital melanosis (47,07 ± 15,33).

CONCLUSIONS

Parallel pattern is prominent in genital melanosis, ring-like pattern is only observed in genital melanosis. Most pigmented lesions on the genital area are solitary. Blue-white veil and irregular dots are only observed in AMNGT. According to these results, we propose that histopathological examination is performed, especially if blue-white veil and irregular dots are found by dermoscopy.     

Keratosis pilaris and prevalence of acne vulgaris: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Acne vulgaris has an important genetic predisposition, as well as keratosis pilaris. Clinical observations suggest that patients with keratosis pilaris have less frequent or less severe acne breakouts; however, we found no studies on this regard

OBJECTIVE

To determine if the presence of keratosis pilaris is associated with lower prevalence and severity of acne.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with dermatology outpatients aged between 14 and 35 years. We evaluated history and clinical grade of acne, demographic variables, history of atopy, smoking, and use of hormonal contraceptives. Two groups were defined by the presence or absence of moderate to severe keratosis pilaris on the arms and were compared by bivariate analysis and by conditional multiple logistic regression.

RESULTS

We included 158 patients (66% women), with a median age of 23±11 years. Twenty-six percent of them had keratosis pilaris, which was associated with a history of atopy (odds ratio [OR]=2.80 [1.36 to 5.75]; p<0.01). Acne was present in 66% of subjects, and was related to family history of acne (OR=5.75 [2.47 to 13.37]; p<0.01). In bivariate and multivariate analysis, the group with keratosis pilaris had a less frequent history of acne (OR=0.32 [0.14 to 0.70]; p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

The presence of moderate to severe keratosis pilaris on the arms was associated with lower prevalence of acne vulgaris and lower severity of facial lesions in adolescents and young adults.     

Clinical Characteristics of Pruritus in Patients with Scalp Psoriasis and Their Relation with Intraepidermal Nerve Fiber Density

Background

The scalp is frequently affected in psoriasis patients, and pruritus can adversely affect the quality of life of affected patients. Few studies have assessed pruritus in scalp psoriasis.

Objective

To determine the correlation among the clinical characteristics of pruritus, psoriasis scalp severity index (PSSI), and intraepidermal nerve fiber (IENF) density in psoriatic scalp lesions.

Methods

Eighty patients (53 men, 27 women; mean age, 46.4 years; mean PSSI, 19.9) with scalp psoriasis were evaluated by using the PSSI and the Leuven itch scale. Biopsies were obtained from the lesional and nonlesional skin of 19 patients (10 men, 9 women; mean age, 37.8 years; mean PSSI, 25.8). Immunofluorescence staining of protein gene product 9.5 was performed to determine the IENF density.

Results

Sixty-four patients (80%) complained of pruritus associated with scalp psoriasis, which negatively affected their quality of life to varying degrees. A moderate positive relation between PSSI score and pruritus intensity was identified (r=0.225 and p=0.044). The IENF density in psoriatic lesions was significantly higher than that in the nonlesional scalp (6.2±1.2 vs. 4.2±1.6, p<0.001). However, the correlations between IENF density and PSSI score, and IENF density and pruritus intensity were insignificant.

Conclusion

These results indicate that pruritus prevalence is high in patients with scalp psoriasis, and pruritus considerably influences the patients'' daily lives and quality of life. In addition, high IENF density in psoriatic scalp lesions may play a role in the development of pruritus in scalp psoriasis.     

Quality of life,self-esteem and psychosocial factors in adolescents with acne vulgaris

Background

Dermatological diseases, among which acne vulgaris, have psychological impact on the affected generating feelings of guilt, shame and social isolation.

Objectives

To compare quality of life, self-esteem and other psychosocial variables amongst adolescents with and without acne vulgaris, and between levels of severity.

Methods

Cross-sectional observational study in a sample of 355 high school students from the city of João Pessoa. Data collection was performed with questionnaires and clinical-dermatological evaluation. The primary variables were the incidence of AV; quality of life, set by the Children''s Dermatology Quality of Life Index and Dermatology Quality of Life Index; and self-esteem, measured by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. For calculation of statistical tests, we used the SPSS 20.0 software, considering p=0.05.

Results

The sample, with an average age of 16, showed 89.3% prevalence of acne vulgaris. The most prevalent psychosocial issue was "afraid that acne will never cease", present in 58% of affected youth. The median score of Quality of Life in Children''s Dermatology Index was different amongst students with and without acne vulgaris (p=0.003), as well as the Quality of Life in Dermatology (p=0.038) scores, so that students with acne vulgaris have worse QoL. There was a correlation between the severity of acne vulgaris and worse quality of life. Self-esteem was not significantly associated with the occurrence or severity of acne vulgaris.

Conclusions

acne vulgaris assumes significance in view of its high prevalence and the effect on quality of life of adolescents, more severe at the more pronounced stages of disease (p<0.001). The psychosocial impact of acne vulgaris should be valued in the management of patients with this condition.     

Tissue immunostaining for factor XIIIa in dermal dendrocytes of pityriasis alba skin lesions

BACKGROUND

Pityriasis alba affects 1% of the world population and about 9.9% of the children in Brazil. However, its etiology remains uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the immunoexpression of factor XIIIa in dermal dendrocytes of skin lesions of pityriasis alba.

METHOD

Twenty patients with pityriasis alba and 20 patients with atopic dermatitis underwent biopsy. The dermal dendrocytes marked by factor XIIIa were counted by means of immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTS

The mean amount of dermal dendrocytes found in the patients with pityriasis alba was 2, whereas in the patients with atopic dermatitis it was 4, with a statistically significant difference between them. A cutoff point of 3 cells/square inch was established to differentiate pityriasis alba from atopic dermatitis, with 80% sensibility and 90% specificity.

CONCLUSION

We believe that pityriasis alba and atopic dermatitis should be considered different clinical forms within the spectrum of atopic disease, in which sun radiation plays an important role by modulating the progression of the disease.     

71例天疱疮的棘层松解位置分析

目的 探讨天疱疮的棘层松解位置,为天疱疮出现不同位置棘层松解的表现提供解释.方法 收集43例寻常型天疱疮和28例落叶型天疱疮患者的临床资料、组织病理、免疫病理、天疱疮抗体指标值进行分析.结果 寻常型天疱疮中有35例棘层松解的位置发生在基底层上方,8例发生在表皮中上部,落叶型天疱疮中有25例棘层松解的位置发生在颗粒层、棘层上方,3例发生在表皮中下部,落叶型天疱疮患者抗Dsg1抗体指标较寻常型天疱疮患者显著升高(P=0.047),寻常型天疱疮棘层松解的位置发生在表皮中上部的患者抗Dsg1、3抗体指标值与棘层松解发生在基底层上方的患者相比有差异,但无统计学意义.结论 寻常型天疱疮及落叶型天疱疮患者组织病理中,棘层松解的位置可发生于表皮中上部、表皮中下部.棘层松解的位置可能与抗Dsg1抗体和抗Dsg3抗体指标值等相关.     

The anti-desmoglein 1 autoantibodies in pemphigus vulgaris sera are pathogenic

Pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus are two closely related, but clinically and histologically distinct, autoimmune skin diseases. The autoantigens for pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus are desmoglein 3 and desmoglein 1, respectively. The anti-desmoglein 1 antibodies in pemphigus foliaceus and anti-desmoglein 3 antibodies in pemphigus vulgaris are pathogenic as determined by immunoglobulin G passive transfer animal models. More than 50% of pemphigus vulgaris sera also contain anti-desmoglein 1 autoantibodies; however, the pathogenicity of the anti-desmoglein 1 autoantibodies in pemphigus vulgaris remains unknown. In this study, we used soluble recombinant extracellular domains of desmoglein 1 and desmoglein 3 to obtain affinity-purified anti-desmoglein 1 and anti-desmoglein 3 autoantibodies from pemphigus vulgaris sera and examined the pathogenicity of each fraction separately using the passive transfer mouse model. By immunoprecipitation, the purified anti-desmoglein 1 and anti-desmoglein 3 showed no cross-reactivity. The anti-desmoglein 1 autoantibodies in pemphigus vulgaris induced typical pemphigus foliaceus lesions in neonatal mice, whereas the anti-desmoglein 3 fraction induced pemphigus vulgaris-like lesions. In addition, the pathogenic anti-desmoglein 1 and anti-desmoglein 3 autoantibodies in pemphigus vulgaris had predominant IgG4 subclass specificity. These findings suggest that the anti-desmoglein 1 antibodies in pemphigus vulgaris are pathogenic.     

Dissatisfaction and acne vulgaris in male adolescents and associated factors

BACKGROUND

Acne vulgaris has high prevalence, disturbing quality of life during adolescence.

OBJECTIVES

To measure dissastifaction and acne in 18-year-old male individuals and its associated factors.

METHODS

A questionnaire was applied by trained interviewers to all boys during selection for the military service. Dissatisfaction and acne was evaluated using a self-administered face scale. Facial, prestrernal and dorsal acne were evaluated separately.

RESULTS

A total of 2,200 adolescents, aged 18 years, were interviewed. Among these, 1,678 had acne on the face and 974 (54.05%) showed some degree of dissatisfaction. Regarding the impact of acne located on the chest, 326 out of 686 adolescents (47.52%) reported dissatisfaction. For acne located on the back, 568 out of 1,103 affected individuals (51.50%) showed dissatisfaction. Facial / dorsal acne and dissatisfaction were statistically associated with lower income, lower education levels and with non-whites. Presternal acne and dissatisfaction were statistically asssociated with lower income and lower education levels.

CONCLUSION

This population-based study found a high prevalence of acne on the face, back and chest, with high rates of dissatisfaction.