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Dermatol Ther 2021 Jun 18:e15032. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

Department of specialized, clinical and experimental medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Bologna, Italy.

Autoimmune bullous diseases are a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by the development of cutaneous and mucosal vesicles, blisters and, finally, erosions. The common pathogenetic mechanism is the presence of autoantibodies targeting structural proteins of the skin and mucous membranes (demosomes and hemidesmosomes): in the case of pemphigus, the antigens are intraepidermal, whereas in the case of pemphigoid, dermatitis herpetiformis and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita they are subepidermal. Mucosal involvement typically affects the oral and ocular mucosa, but in some cases the upper airways or the upper digestive tract are affected. Read More

Dermatology 2021 Jun 17:1-8. Epub 2021 Jun 17.

Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Background: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a common autoimmune blistering skin disease with substantial mortality.

Objective: To identify whether the use of immunosuppressants was associated with reduced mortality in BP patients.

Methods: The data for this study were obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2013. Read More

J Invest Dermatol 2021 Jun 8. Epub 2021 Jun 8.

PEDEGO Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Department of Dermatology and Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland. Electronic address:

Acta Dermatovenerol Croat 2020 Dec;28(4):249-250

Hisayoshi Imanishi, MD, PhD, Division of Dermatology, Daito Central Hospital, 2-1-11 Ono, Daito, Osaka 574-0042, Japan;

Dear Editor, Dapsone is a dual-function drug with antimicrobial and antiprotozoal effects and anti-inflammatory features (1). In dermatology, it is a first choice for conditions such as leprosy, IgA pemphigus, dermatitis herpetiformis, and linear IgA bullous dermatosis, or an adjunctive treatment for, e.g. Read More

Exp Eye Res 2021 Apr 14;205:108495. Epub 2021 Feb 14.

Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology and University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA; Cornea, External Disease and Refractive Surgery, Department of Ophthalmology, University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA. Electronic address:

The corneal endothelial monolayer and associated Descemet's membrane (DM) complex is a unique structure that plays an essential role in corneal function. Endothelial cells are neural crest derived cells that rest on a special extracellular matrix and play a major role in maintaining stromal hydration within a narrow physiologic range necessary for clear vision. A number of diseases affect the endothelial cells and DM complex and can impair corneal function and vision. Read More

BMC Endocr Disord 2021 Feb 11;21(1):23. Epub 2021 Feb 11.

Second Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Attikon University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.

Background: Bullous pemphigoid is the most common bullous chronic autoimmune skin disease. Recent studies have suggested dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 inhibitors as possible predisposing agents of bullous pemphigoid. The objective of our study was to prospectively estimate the association between gliptins and the development of bullous pemphigoid. Read More

J Cell Physiol 2021 Sep 8;236(9):6115-6135. Epub 2021 Feb 8.

Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Aquaporins (AQPs), as transmembrane proteins, were primarily identified as water channels with the ability of regulating the transmission of water, glycerol, urea, and other small-sized molecules. The classic view of AQPs involvement in therapeutic plan restricted them and their regulators into managing only a narrow spectrum of the diseases such as diabetes insipidus and the syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion. However, further investigations performed, especially in the third millennium, has found that their cooperation in water transmission control can be manipulated to handle other burden-imposing diseases such as cirrhosis, heart failure, Meniere's disease, cancer, bullous pemphigoid, eczema, and Sjögren's syndrome. Read More

J Dermatol 2021 Apr 4;48(4):486-496. Epub 2021 Feb 4.

Division of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP4i)-associated bullous pemphigoid (BP) has been emerging but whether it has genotype or phenotype differences from idiopathic BP (IBP) remains to be determined. We aimed to compare clinical characteristics, genetic susceptibility, laboratory features, disease activity, and outcomes between DPP4i-associated BP (DBP) and IBP occurring among patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM). Medical records of patients diagnosed with BP and T2DM from January 2009 to December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed, and patients were categorized into DBP or IBP groups. Read More

North Clin Istanb 2020 20;7(6):597-602. Epub 2020 Nov 20.

Free Dermatologist, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.

Objective: Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune blistering disease affecting the mucosal surfaces as well as the skin. Twenty-eight retrospective studies about the epidemiologic data of pemphigus vulgaris patients have been performed previously in the literature.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we evaluated 320 pemphigus vulgaris patients who applied to the bullous diseases clinic of Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, between the years 1999-2019. Read More

Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2021 Jan 21;171:108546. Epub 2020 Nov 21.

Department of Dermatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Dermatology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Aims: Higher bullous pemphigoid (BP) risk has been reported to be associated with dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor (DPP4i). The aim of this study is to examine the association between BP risk and DPP4i treatment.

Methods: We conducted a nationwide cohort study based on the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database between 2000 and 2015. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 Oct;99(43):e22850

Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand.

Bullous pemphigoid is an uncommon, autoimmune, blistering disease. Clinical features, associated conditions, and outcomes differ according to country. We aimed to determine the mortality rate and clinical characteristics of Thai patients and to evaluate the risk factors associated with survival. Read More

Case Rep Endocrinol 2020 10;2020:8832643. Epub 2020 Oct 10.

Diabetes and Thyroid Center, Theptarin Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.

The use of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) appears to be associated with a small but significantly elevated risk of bullous pemphigoid (BP). Although the pathogenic mechanism of DPP4i-associated BP remains unclear, this adverse event is reported with multiple gliptins, suggesting a class effect. However, previous studies from various countries showed that vildagliptin had been implicated in most cases. Read More

Front Immunol 2020 23;11:1607. Epub 2020 Jul 23.

Department of Dermatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.

The clinical outcome of bullous pemphigoid appears worse in patients with infectious complications, and assessment of the prevalence and risk factors of infectious complications could be necessary to plan preventative strategies and to instruct the treatment plans. We sought to determine the risk factors of infection and compare associated factors in inpatients and outpatients with different system infections. This is a single-centered retrospective study on the medical records of 252 patients from 2010 to 2018 at the dermatology department, Peking Union Medical College. Read More

Cureus 2020 Jul 14;12(7):e9175. Epub 2020 Jul 14.

Internal Medicine, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, USA.

Acquired perforating collagenosis is a rare disease of altered collagen formation that is extruded through the epidermis. It is most commonly seen in patients with microvascular disease including longstanding diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Due to the rarity of the disease, no large randomized clinical studies have been performed to determine the most efficacious method of treatment. Read More

Arch Dermatol Res 2021 Jul 10;313(5):327-332. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Suite 1600, 676 N Saint Clair Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.

Background: Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune skin disease characterized by the formation of blisters between the epidermis and dermis. Comorbidities of pemphigoid have not been well-described. Identification of comorbidities associated with pemphigoid is important to decrease morbidity and mortality. Read More

Am J Med Sci 2020 09 11;360(3):261-267. Epub 2020 May 11.

Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Dokkyo Medical University, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan.

Background: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) rapidly inactivates incretin hormones and several chemokines, thus influencing chemokine function. There have recently been several reports that DPP-4 inhibitor therapy is associated with an increased risk of bullous pemphigoid (BP), an autoimmune skin disease. Previous studies have demonstrated an increase of CCL11/Eotaxin, a DPP-4 substrate, in serum and blister fluid from patients with BP. Read More

Ann Palliat Med 2021 May 9;10(5):5786-5791. Epub 2020 Jun 9.

Department of Thoracic Surgery I, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Yunnan Cancer Hospital, Yunnan Cancer Center), Kunming, China.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The outbreak began in Wuhan, China, and spread rapidly, with many cases confirmed in multiple countries. Usually, after viral pneumonia were clinical cured, the pulmonary lesions of majority patients will gradually be absorbed to complete dissipation, very few severe patients may retain pulmonary interstitial inflammation and fibrosis. Read More

Dermatol Ther 2020 07 14;33(4):e13790. Epub 2020 Jul 14.

Clalit Health Services, Haifa, Israel.

Data regarding the clinical characteristics of patients with dipeptidyl-peptidase IV inhibitors (DPP4i)-associated BP is inconclusive. We aimed to characterize the clinical features of patients with DPP4i-associated BP, and to assess whether there are phenotypic differences associated with different agents belonging to the DPP4i class. A retrospective prevalence study was performed, including all consecutive patients diagnosed with BP throughout the years 2000 to 2019. Read More

Acta Biochim Pol 2020 Feb;67(1):1-5

Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.

Numerous epidemiological studies have suggested a link between vitamin D deficiency and the development of various autoimmune diseases, including diabetes mellitus type 1, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis or systemic lupus erythematosus. More recently, such a link has been also proposed for autoimmune bullous diseases (AIBD). This is a relatively rare and potentially life-threatening, organ-specific group of inflammatory skin diseases characterized by the presence of tissue-bound and circulating autoantibodies against various molecules present in desmosomes (in pemphigus diseases) or hemidesmosomes (in pemphigoid diseases). Read More

CEN Case Rep 2020 08 28;9(3):189-194. Epub 2020 Jan 28.

Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Rakuwakai Otowa Hospital, 2, Otowa Chinji-cho, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto, 607-8062, Japan.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most common autoimmune subepidermal bullous diseases. Autoantibodies against hemidesmosomal adhesion proteins might be involved in the developing process. BP usually affects the elderly with high mortality whereas the drug-induced BP is often improved and rarely relapses after the withdrawal of the suspected drug. Read More

Infect Disord Drug Targets 2021 ;21(1):78-83

Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Objective: Nocardiosis is an opportunistic infection in individuals who had organ transplants and in patients with immunosuppressive diseases such as pemphigus Vulgaris (PV), diabetes mellitus, and HIV. Nocardiosis rate has not been assessed in Iranian PV patients, and this was the first study to estimate nocardiosis rate in these patients.

Methods: In this study, 103 patients with PV were examined. Read More

Drug Saf 2019 11;42(11):1311-1327

Global Patient Safety Evaluation Japan, Pharmacovigilance Department, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, 1-1, Doshomachi 4-chome, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 540-8645, Japan.

The dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP-4i) alogliptin is an oral, antidiabetic treatment that is approved in many countries to treat patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), including the USA, Europe, and Japan. Alogliptin is efficacious both as monotherapy and as add-on/combination therapy with other commonly prescribed T2DM treatments, such as metformin and pioglitazone. Overall, alogliptin is well-tolerated in patients with T2DM, including older patients, those with renal and/or hepatic impairment, and those at high risk of cardiovascular events. Read More

Eur J Case Rep Intern Med 2019 10;6(9):001207. Epub 2019 Sep 10.

Department of Dermatology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.

Bullous pemphigoid is a chronic autoimmune blistering disease. Recently, several reports suggested dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, also known as gliptins, were a potential cause of drug-induced bullous pemphigoid but not of both bullous pemphigoid and alopecia areata together. Here we describe the case of a 68-year-old man with type 2 diabetes mellitus who developed new onset diffuse alopecia on the scalp with diffuse tense bullae over his body a few months after linagliptin was introduced for better control of his diabetes. Read More

Clin Exp Dermatol 2020 Apr 6;45(3):289-294. Epub 2019 Oct 6.

Department of Dermatology, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, UK.

Background: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune, subepidermal, blistering condition that typically affects elderly people.

Aim: To undertake a national clinical audit based on standards derived from the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) clinical guidelines on the management of BP.

Methods: In 2018, BAD members were invited to submit data for five consecutive adults with BP per centre, who had been under hospital supervision for at least 12 months, in a national audit over an 11-week period. Read More

Front Immunol 2019 4;10:1238. Epub 2019 Jun 4.

Department of Dermatology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an organ-specific autoantibody-mediated blistering skin disease that mainly affects the elderly. Typical clinical features include the widespread blisters, often preceded by and/or associated with itchy urticarial or eczema-like lesions. BP patients have circulating autoantibodies against BP180 and/or the plakin family protein BP230 both of which are components of hemidesmosomes in basal keratinocytes. Read More

Diabetes Care 2019 08 10;42(8):1496-1503. Epub 2019 Jun 10.

Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Canada

Objective: There are uncertainties regarding the association between dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors and bullous pemphigoid (BP), a potentially severe autoimmune skin disease. Thus, we conducted a population-based study to determine whether use of DPP-4 inhibitors, when compared with other second- to third-line antidiabetic drugs, is associated with an increased risk of BP in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: Using the U. Read More

Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol 2019 Jun 4. Epub 2019 Jun 4.

Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Background: Autoantibodies against BP180 and BP230 play major roles in bullous pemphigoid (BP). We are the first to describe the values of serum anti-BP180 IgG and anti-BP230 IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for diagnosis and disease monitoring of BP among Thai patients.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the diagnostic performance of anti-BP180 IgG and anti-BP230 IgG in BP, to correlate disease activity with autoantibody levels through follow-ups, and to relate BP comorbidities with disease activity and autoantibody levels. Read More

Immunol Med 2019 Mar 6;42(1):22-28. Epub 2019 Jun 6.

a Department of Dermatology , Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine , Sapporo , Japan.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an organ-specific autoantibody-mediated autoimmune blistering skin disorder that tends to affect the elderly. Tense blister formation associated with itchy urticarial erythema is clinically observed in BP, and subepidermal blister formation with eosinophilic infiltration is a histopathological characteristic. BP autoantibodies target two hemidesmosomal components in basal keratinocytes: BP180 and BP230. Read More