A Stab‐and‐Roll Biopsy Technique to Maintain Gingival Epithelium for Desquamative Gingivitis

Background: Desquamative gingivitis (DG) is a clinical manifestation common to several diseases. It is known that most cases of DG are caused by mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP), oral lichen planus (OLP), or pemphigus vulgaris (PV). Early recognition and treatment of these diseases can improve the prognosis, but diagnostic delays are common in patients with DG because obtaining a diagnostic biopsy is technically challenging. A biopsy technique designed to maintain the gingival epithelium for patients with DG was developed. The usefulness of this technique is discussed. Methods: This study is based on a retrospective review of 27 DG cases. A stab‐and‐roll technique was used to obtain gingival tissue. This technique is designed to reduce lateral forces on the epithelium during the procedure and to thereby prevent the inadvertent removal of the epithelium from the biopsy specimen. A total of 52 biopsies comprising 27 for hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)–stained samples and 25 for direct immunofluorescence (DIF) testing were reviewed. Results: Fifty‐one of the 52 biopsies (98.1%) maintained the epithelium. Only one biopsy (1.9%) showed that the epithelium was totally absent. Therefore, H&E and DIF features of 51 biopsies were analyzed. Definitive diagnoses of the diseases causing DG included MMP (13 cases), PV (eight cases), and OLP (six cases). Conclusions: A diagnostic biopsy was obtained from the gingiva of patients with DG using the stab‐and‐roll technique. The gingival epithelium was well maintained, and the relationship with the underlying connective tissue was diagnostic. In the future, this stab‐and‐roll biopsy technique may facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of diseases causing DG.     

Asociación entre penfigoide ampolloso e inhibidores de la dipeptidilpeptidasa-4: estudio de cohortes retrospectivo

BackgroundThe association between dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) and bullous pemphigoid (BP) has been demonstrated in several studies. The main aim of this study was to estimate the use of DPP-4i treatment in patients diagnosed with BP in our setting.MethodsWe selected patients histologically diagnosed with BP in our department between October 2015 and October 2018 and performed a retrospective chart review to assess clinical and epidemiological data and direct immunofluorescence (DIF) patterns.ResultsOf the 70 patients diagnosed with BP during the study period, 50% were diabetic and 88.57% of these were being treated with a DPP-4i when diagnosed with BP. The most common DPP-4i was linagliptin (used in 18.6% of patients), followed by vildagliptin (17.1%). The median latency period between initiation of DPP-4i treatment and diagnosis of BP was 27.5 months for all treatments, 16 months for linagliptin, and 39 months for vildagliptin (log rank < 0.01). A negative DIF result was significantly more common in patients not being treated with a DPP-4i. The DIF pattern most strongly (and significantly) associated with DPP-4i treatment was linear immunoglobulin G deposits along the dermal-epidermal junction. DPP-4i treatment was withdrawn in 87% of patients and 96% of these achieved a complete response.ConclusionsDPP-4i treatment is very common in patients with BP in our setting. The latency period between start of treatment and onset of BP seems to be shorter with linagliptin than with other types of gliptins. Patients receiving DPP-4i treatment may show different DIF patterns to those not receiving treatment.     

大疱性类天疱疮患者血清中抗BP180抗体水平检测及意义的分析

目的研究23例大疱性类天疱疮(BP)患者血清中抗BP180抗体的表达水平和治疗前后的变化及抗体指数与病情严重程度的相关关系,以探讨抗BP180抗体水平在BP患者的诊断、监测病情变化及治疗中的应用。方法对23例患者通过病理及直接免疫荧光进行诊断,并对患者的病情进行评估,应用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测患者及20例正常人血清中抗BP180抗体的水平,最后通过统计分析判断各指标间的关系及意义。结果23例患者血清经ELISA检测抗BP180抗体阳性18例;治疗后的抗BP180抗体指数(67.94±54.73)较治疗前(74.22±59.06)下降,治疗前与治疗后的差值为3.66±12.71,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗前后抗BP180抗体指数均与病情评分有相关性(治疗前r=0.417,P<0.05;治疗后r=0.818,P<0.01)。20例正常对照组阳性1例,阴性19例。ELISA检测BP血清抗BP180抗体的灵敏度为78.26%,特异性为95%。结论BP患者血清中抗BP180抗体水平与疾病的严重程度有一定的相关性,有较高的灵敏度和特异性,可作为BP的常规辅助诊断,并用于监测病情变化及指导治疗。     

Serum and blister fluid levels of cytokines and chemokines in pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid

Bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus constitute two major autoimmune blistering diseases (AIBD) with complicated disease pathomechanisms involving a multitude of cytokines and immunological pathways. The purpose of our literature review of the cytokines and chemokines involved in these AIBDs was to allow for a meta-analysis of studies detailing differential cytokine and chemokine changes in these conditions. Elucidation of inflammatory pathways could lead to more targeted therapies, several of which specific monoclonal antibodies already exist and are used safely for other autoimmune diseases. A systematic review of the Pubmed/Medline database was performed for articles characterizing cytokines/chemokines involved in BP and pemphigus. Further, a meta-analysis was carried out using standardized methods, including assessment for heterogeneity. The results of our analysis demonstrated numerous inflammatory alterations in these AIBDs. Significant alterations included serum levels of IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, CCL-17, and CCL-26 in patients with BP, and increased blister fluids levels of IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, CCL11, and TNF-α. Blister fluid levels of IL-1α are decreased in BP. In pemphigus, we identified significantly increased serum levels of IL-10, IL-17, and CCL17. We have additionally summarized all studies excluded from meta-analysis to provide a comprehensive summary of cytokine/chemokine alterations in these two conditions.     

大疱性类天疱疮患者发根毛囊中抗体的检测

目的：通过检测大疱性类天疱疮患者拔出的头发上残留毛囊中大疱性类天疱疮抗体的沉积情况,建立一种快捷、损伤小的检测大疱性类天疱疮的方法。方法：直接免疫荧光方法测定35例大疱性类天疱疮患者拔出的头发上残留毛囊中类天疱疮抗体的沉积,10例健康人及20例天疱疮病人头发作为对照。结果：35例大疱性类天疱疮患者的毛发,其中阳性28例,阴性7例,阳性率80%;类天疱疮IgG和C3在毛囊表皮下的外毛根鞘外层与结缔组织鞘之间呈明显的线状沉积。10例正常人及20例天疱疮患者均无线状沉积。结论：本实验方法简单、快速、敏感,且具有较高特异性,有可能成为诊断和鉴别诊断大疱性类天疱疮的一种有效的方法。     

大疱性类天疱疮与HLA—A、B等位基因的相关性

目的：确定山东汉族大疱性类天疱疮（BP）与HLA—A、B等位基因的相关性。方法：运用聚合酶链反应-序列特异性引物寡核苷酸探针杂交（PCR—SSOP）方法,对山东地区43例汉族BP患者和125例健康对照进行了HLL—A、B等位基因分型。结果：BP患者组HIA—A＊24频率高于对照组（P：0．033,Pc〉0．05）;HLA—A＊33、B＊44在患者组中频率低于正常对照组（P值分别为0．040和0．024,但Pc值均〉0．05）。结论：大疱性类天疱疮的遗传易感基因可能与HLA—A、B等位基因无相关性。     

Omalizumab as an alternative therapeutic tool in the treatment of bullous pemphigoid: A case report

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an acquired autoimmune bullous disease characterized by autoantibodies against the hemidesmosomal proteins found in the basal keratinocytes of the basement membrane zone (BMZ): a 180 kDa protein (type XVII collagen) mainly and the 230 kDa antigen. There is such evidence that the antibodies against the BMZ components are not only of IgG type, but also this bullous disease may have IgE antibodies directed to the BMZ that contribute to the pathogenesis of the disorder. IgE is not only thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of BP, it has also been suggested that eosinophils play a role in the development of the first signs associated with BP. A humanized monoclonal antibody directed to IgE, omalizumab, is approved for the treatment of severe asthma and chronic spontaneous urticaria, and it may be useful in the treatment of BP in the first stages of the disease.     

Juvenile bullous pemphigoid: the presentation and follow‐up of six cases

Background Juvenile bullous pemphigoid (JBP) is a very rare autoimmune blistering disease. Up to now, 81 cases have been published. Objectives To describe clinical, histopathological and immunopathological characteristics of our patients with JBP, their response to therapy and clinical course, and to show the rarity of JBP in our population. Study design Retrospective study of all patients with JBP diagnosed from 1983 to the end of 2007. The patients were followed from 6 months to 24 years. Setting An academic, teaching hospital – Pediatric Dermatology Unit of the Institute of Dermatovenereology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade. Patients and methods Six patients with JBP (4 girls and 2 boys) aged 2 to 17 years. The average age at onset of BP was 10 years. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological analysis and direct immunofluorescence test. The patients were treated with systemic and topical corticosteroids, and three patients received dapsone. Results The disease control was achieved after 2 weeks to 2.5 months of therapy. The treatment lasted from 2 weeks to 4.5 months, 1.8 months at the average. The period from the beginning of the disease to complete remission ranged from 1.5 month to 5 years, with a mean value of 14 months. In one boy, the parents interrupted the therapy, and the disease remitted spontaneously after 5 years. Conclusion According to our experience, JBP can spontaneously remit within 5 years. JBP has a relatively indolent course and may be a self‐limiting disease. The patients should not be over‐treated in order to avoid side‐effects of medication.