Mucocutaneous Conditions Flashcards
Inappropriate production of antibodies by the host directed against host tissue (autoantibodies)
Pemphigus vulgaris
What do the autoantibodies destroy in Pemphigus vulgaris?
Desmosomes
Role of desmosomes
Bond epithelial cells together
Where can Pemphigus vulgaris be seen clinically?
Skin and oral lesions
What is important about the oral lesions in Pemphigus vulgaris
“First to show, last to go” (first to show - hardest to treat)
Describe the oral lesions in Pemphigus vulgaris
Superficial, ragged erosions and ulcerations
Patients with Pemphigus vulgaris show a ____ ____ sign
Positive Nikolsky
Nikolsky sign
Inducing a bulla by applying firm, lateral pressure to normally appearing skin
What is really important in management of Pemphigus vulgaris
Plaque control
What is characteristic of skin involvement of Pemphigus vulgaris
Flaccid cutaneous bulla
Normal tissue adjacent to the ulceration or erosion in Pemphigus vulgaris should be sampled in a biopsy. What for? Where is the sample taken?
For direct immunofluoresent and light microscopic evaluation. Sample at the periphery, not the ulcerated center
2 histological features of Pemphigus vulgaris
- Intraepithelial clefting above the basal layer (SUPRABASILAR)
- Acantholysis (breakdown of spinous layer)
A technique that uses fluorescent-labeled antibodies to detect specific targets
Immunofluorescence
What is DIRECT immunofluorescence used to detect?
Autoantibodies bound to patient’s tissues
What is INDIRECT immunofluorescence used to detect?
Antibodies circulating in the blood
Autoantibodies in Pemphigus vulgaris will bind desmosomal components ( desmoglein ___ & ___)
1 & 3
Treatment for Pemphigus vulgaris
- Systemic corticosteroids
- OHI
- Prophy 3-4x per year
- SOFT toothbrush
Why do topical corticosteroids show little effect in Pemphigus vulgaris?
Because Pemphigus vulgaris is a systemic disease
Prognosis for Pemphigus vulgaris
Fatal if not treated (SEVERE infection, loss of fluids/electrolytes, malnutrition due to mouth pain)
What may lead to mortality in Pemphigus vulgaris?
Complications of long-term steroids
Condition that resembles Pemphigus vulgaris due to blister formation, but is 2x as common as Pemphigus vulgaris?
Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid (MMP)
Another name for Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid
Cicatricial (scarring) Pemphigoid
Are patients with Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid older or younger than patients with Pemphigus Vulgaris?
Older
Does Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid have a male or female predilection?
Female
Where is scarring typically seen in patients with Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid
Skin, Symblephreron (conjunctiva), oral mucosa (rare)
Why might you see intact intraoral blisters in patients with Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid?
Because the split is subepithelial
Clinical feature seen in patients with Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid
Desquamative gingivitis
Desquamative gingivitis
A DESCRIPTIVE TERM - erythema, desquamation, ulceration
What is the most significant aspect of Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid
Ocular involvement of symblepheron
What does ocular scarring lead to in patients with Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid
Scarring obstructs the orifices of glands that produce tears, resulting in a dry eye
What does ocular dryness lead to in patients with Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid
Dryness leads to keratinization of the corneal epithelium, leading to blindness
Term for upper eyelid being turned inward
Entropion
Term for eyelashes rubbing against the eye
Trichiasis
What must you include in a biopsy for a patient with Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid
A generous sample of normal mucosa, 0.5-1.0 cm away from areas of ulceration/erythema
What type of cleft formation is seen in patients with Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid ?
SUBepithelial
Subepithelial cleft formation
Separation of the epithelium from the connective tissue at the basement membrane zone
What will you see in the immunopathology of patients with Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid
- Linear deposition of immunoreactants at the basement membrane zone
- Positive DIF, Negative IIF (few patients will have circulating autoantibodies)
Treatment for patient with Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid when only oral lesions are present
Topical steroids, tetracycline/niacinamide or dapsone, frequent prophy visits (every 3-4 months)
Treatment for patient with Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid if there is ocular involvement
Systemic immunosuppressive therapy
Prognosis for patients with Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid
Blindness from untreated ocular disease, condition can usually be controlled
Most common of the autoimmune blistering conditions
Bullous Pemphigoid
Where is Bullous Pemphigoid primarily seen?
Skin
Early symptom of Bullous Pemphigoid? Followed by?
Pruritus followed by multiple, tense bullae, blisters on normal or erythematous skin
Describe the transformation of Bullous Pemphigoid lesions?
Rupture, crust, heal without scarring
Oral involvement in Bullous Pemphigoid is _____ (common/uncommon), and the bullae rupture ____ (later/sooner) than on the skin
Uncommon
Sooner
What is left behind when oral bullae rupture in patients with Bullous Pemphigoid
Large, shallow ulcerations with smooth, distinct margins
Is Bullous Pemphigoid seen supraepithelial or subepithelial? What is that similar to?
SUBepithelial - similar to Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid
What do you see in the immunopathology of patients with Bullous Pemphigoid
Positive DIF AND IIF with immunoreactants deposited at the basement membrane
Treatment for Bullous Pemphigoid
Management is similar to cicatricial pemphigoid, but most resolve spontaneously in 1-2 years
When might problems arise in patients with Bullous Pemphigoid
With use of immunosuppressive therapy in older patients
Acute onset ulcerative disorder of the skin and mucous membranes in younger patients, most have an unknown etiology
Erythema Multiforme
Although most cases of Erythema Multiforme have an unknown etiology, what are some known etiologies ?
Preceding infection (viral (herpes), bacterial (mycoplasma pneumoniae)), and Medication related (antibiotics and analgesics)
When do patients with Erythema Multiforme experience prodromal symptoms? What are they?
1 week before onset (fever, malaise, headache, cough, sore throat)
2 degrees of severity in patients with Erythema Multiforme
- EM minor
2. EM major
Where is EM minor seen?
Skin (extremities) and Mucosa (oral, conjunctival, genitourinary, respiratory)
What will you see on the vermilion zones of patients with EM minor?
Hemorrhagic crusting
2 skin features that you may see in patients with EM minor?
- Round, dusky-red patches on skin of extremities “targeted lesions”
- Bullae with necrotic centers
Oral features seen in patients with EM minor? Which areas are usually spared?
Erythematous patches of oral mucosa that undergo necrosis and result in large, shallow erosions and ulcers with irregular borders (gingiva and hard palate usually spared)
Clinical features of EM major
2 or more mucosal sites in conjunction with skin lesions, and ocular involvement that can produce symblepheron
Stevens’-Johnson syndrome
At least 2 mucosal sites plus skin involvement
Toxic epidermal necrolysis (Lyell’s disease)
Difuse bullous involvement of skin and mucosa
Difference in Stevens’ Johnson syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis?
Degree of skin involvement and patient age
SJS (< 10% and younger patients)
TEN (>30% and older patients)
Difference in SJS/TEN and Erythema Multiforme
- SJS/TEN almost always triggered by a drug (rather than infection)
- SJS/TEN skin lesions begin as red macules on trunk (rather than extremities)