Premium
Bullous systemic lupus erythematosus
Author(s) -
Yung Anthony,
Oakley Amanda
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
australasian journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.67
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1440-0960
pISSN - 0004-8380
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-0960.2000.00426.x
Subject(s) - dapsone , medicine , blisters , direct fluorescent antibody , prednisone , dermatology , immunofluorescence , dermoepidermal junction , skin biopsy , lupus erythematosus , biopsy , systemic disease , pathology , antibody , immunology , immunopathology , gastroenterology , dermis
SUMMARY A 19‐year‐old woman with a 6 month history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) developed a widespread urticated, erythematous eruption associated with tense, fluid‐filled blisters, erosions and crusting. Biopsy showed subepidermal blistering with a prominent neutrophilic infiltrate. Direct immunofluorescence showed markedly positive granular IgG deposition with weak IgM, IgA and C3 at the dermo‐ epidermal junction. No circulating antibodies were detected on indirect immunofluorescence. A diagnosis of bullous systemic erythematosus was made. Treatment with prednisone was ineffective. Subsequent treatment with dapsone led to rapid sustained remission of skin symptoms. Bullous SLE is a rare manifestation of SLE. We review the recent literature and discuss the distinctive features of this condition and contrast them with cutaneous SLE with blisters and the subepidermal blistering disorders.