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Lichenoid and subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus‐like dermatitis associated with antihistamine therapy
Author(s) -
Crowson A. N.,
Magro C. M.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of cutaneous pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1600-0560
pISSN - 0303-6987
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0560.1999.tb01809.x
Subject(s) - subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus , medicine , dermatology , antihistamine , anti nuclear antibody , lupus erythematosus , pathology , systemic lupus erythematosus , autoantibody , immunology , antibody , connective tissue disease , disease , autoimmune disease
The authors report the occurrence of lichenoid and/or subacute lupus erythematosus‐like eruptions in a group of patients receiving agents with antihistaminic properties. In 1 of the patients the eruption clinically resembled lichen planus, while in 5 patients the eruption resembled subacute cutaneous lupus crythematosus (SCLE). At a light microscopic level all cases showed a lichenoid dermatitis and in 4 cases the lesions were interpreted as representing subacute lupus‐like eruptions by virtue of the presence of alternating cell poor and lichenoid interface dermatitis, suprabasilar lymphocytosis around degenerating keratinocytes, and dermal mucinosis. Despite the resemblance at a clinical and light microscopic level to SCLE, anti‐Ro seropositivity could not be established in any of the cases. One case, however, did demonstrate antihistone antibodies in concert with a high antinuclear antibody titer. A causal association was implicated by virtue of lesional resolution following drug withdrawal. The association of cutaneous eruptions resembling SCLE with antihistamine intake is seemingly a novel one. The possible pathogenetic basis of the eruptions is discussed.