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Promising effect of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy for epidermolysis bullosa pruriginosa
Author(s) -
Ertop Pelin,
Vural Secil,
Gökpınar Ili Ezgi,
Durmaz Ceren D.,
Heper Aylin O.,
McGrath John A.,
Ilgın Ruhi H.,
Boyvat Ayse
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1111/ijd.14951
Subject(s) - medicine , milia , intravenous immunoglobulin therapy , dermatology , epidermolysis bullosa , antibody , immunoglobulin e , gastroenterology , immunology
Background Epidermolysis bullosa pruriginosa (EBP) is rare a clinical variant of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa characterized by trauma‐induced bullae formation, milia and nail dystrophy accompanied by severe pruritus. Treatment pruritus of EBP focuses on immunosuppressive treatment with limited efficacy. Treatment strategies are not well‐established. Aim To provide the genetic characterization of a multi‐generational EBP family and discuss the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in EBP. Materials & methods The clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with EBP in three consecutive generations were determined. The mutation is analyzed in the index patient's genomic DNA by Sanger sequencing, and this mutation was confirmed in other affected members of the family. Index case with severe phenotype was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Results A heterozygous single nucleotide transition, c.6127G>A, in exon 73 of COL7A1 was identified in all affected members. Physical examination of patients revealed lichenoid papules on extensor surfaces of extremities, excoriations, milia formation and nail dystrophy. Majority of patients had elevated serum IgE levels (%86 (6/7)) without a medical history for atopy. Female patients had generalized involvement and severe phenotype. The skin lesions of the index case were refractory to high dose systemic steroids and cyclosporine treatment. Lesions improved significantly with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. Conclusion In severe cases, unresponsive to other therapies, IVIG may be a preferable therapeutic approach to modulate the inflammatory response in patients with EBP.