CM- Blistering Disorders Flashcards
What is spongiosis?
What is an example of something that would cause this?
Widening of the intercellular space between the epidermal cells causing sponge-like appearance. The cells will start to appear star-shaped because the desmosomes still work until they finally break
ex. allergic contact dermatitis
What term describes the loss of coherence between epidermal or epithelial cells that results in the “rounding up” of cells and a fried egg appearance of cells in clear blister cavities?
Acantholysis
Primary acantholysis occurs among _______cells as a result of _________ of the intercellular substance.
_______describes a group of autoimmune diseases in which antibodies are directed against cadherin molecules [desmosomes] responsible for keratinocyte adhesion to each other.
1 acantholysis is among unaltered cells as a result of dissolution of intercellular substance.
Pemphigus describes autoimmune diseases where Ab against cadherin lead to lack of coherence amongh epidermal and epithelial cells
Describe ballooning degeneration. What is the result?
What happens if it is acute and severe?
It is epidermal cell degeneration resulting in swelling of cells and secondary acatholysis [herpes simplex].
If it is acute and severe, it can cause bursting of epithelial cells and formation of multilocular bullae [reticular degeneration]
What is epidermolysis bullosa simplex?
absent or defective keratin leads to intraepithelial blister formation
What is epidermolysis bullosa dystophica?
Absent or defective type 7 collagen causes a defect in the anchoring of the basement membrane to the papillary dermis
What is the difference between primary acatholysis and pemphigus?
Primary acantholysis is the dissolution of intercellular substance when the cell was unaltered.
Pemphigus is an autoimmune condition where Ab are directed against cadherin [of desmosomes] dissolving adhesion between keratinocytes to each other
What connects keratinocytes to each other?
What blistering diseases destroys this bond?
Desmosomes connect keratinocytes to each other.
Pemphigus vulgaris has Ab against cadherin [component of desmosome]
What connects the basal keratinocytes to the basement membrane zone?
What 3 proteins is this made of?
What blistering disease destroys the connection?
Hemidesmosomes
- laminin
- plectin
- integrin
Bullous pemphigoid has antigens against the hemidesmosome
What tethers the epidermis to the dermis?
The absence of what protein disrupts this connection, forming blisters?
Anchoring fibrils tether epidermis to the dermis.
Absence of collagen 7 [epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica]
What are the 4 things that should be considered when classifying a blister?
- size [less than 1cm = vesicle, greater = bulla]
- content
- serum [clear]
- blood [red]
- leukocytes [cloudy] - Inflammatory vs. non-inflammatory
- inflam = bullous pemphigoid, erythema multiforme]
- non = epidermolysis bullosa simplex, pemphigus - histological level of blistering
- sub stratum corneum
- stratum lucidum
- stratum granulosum [lose nuclei, get keratin granules]
- stratum spinosum
- stratum basale
What is the main way to tell the difference between pemphigus and pemphigoid ?
GUS is non-inflammatory and GOID is inflammatory so pemphigus will be more cell-poor on histology
What main diseases are associated with each layer of the epidermis?
- sub-stratum corneum
- bullous impetigo
- pemphigus foliaceous/erythematous - stratum spinosum
- herpes simplex and other viral blisters - Supra-basal
- pemphigus vulgaris/vegetans - Basal Cell
- erythema multiforme
- SJS, toxic epidermal necrolysis
What main diseases are associated with each layer of the dermis?
- junctional
- bullous pemphigoid - sublamina densa
- dermatitis herpitiformis
- porphyria cutanea tarda
What 4 skin disorders are considered “immune-mediated” disorders?
- bullous pemphigoid
- dermatitis herpetiformis
- herpes gestationis
- pemphigus
What 3 skin disorders are non-immune mediated?
- bullous impetigo
- herpes infection
- porphyria cutanea tarda
What is the Nikolsky sign?
What 3 skin disorders show + Nikolsky signs?
When lateral pressure is applied to normal skin at the periphery of an active lesion, the skin shears right off.
- pemphigus vulgaris/foliaceous
- toxic epidermal necrolysis
- staph scalded skin syndrome