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Revised clinical and laboratory criteria for subtypes of inherited epidermolysis bullosa. A consensus report by the Subcommittee on Diagnosis and Classification of the National Epidermolysis Bullosa Registry.

Inherited epidermolysis bullosa encompasses a number of diseases, with the common finding of blister formation after minor mechanical trauma to the skin. In some forms significant, if not eventually fatal, extracutaneous disease activity may occur. In recent years application of newer technologies has contributed substantially to an overall understanding of this collection of inherited diseases. Concurrently, many new phenotypes have been recognized, in part the result of ongoing prospective patient registries in the United States and abroad. Unfortunately, this has resulted in a massive literature that may appear to be confounded by seemingly excessive or arbitrary subdivision of epidermolysis bullosa variants. With these concerns in mind a subcommittee was established by the National Epidermolysis Bullosa Registry to summarize the current literature and to make recommendations as to the best clinical and laboratory criteria for the practical diagnosis and subclassification of patients with inherited epidermolysis bullosa.

Epidermolysis Bullosa↗

[Epidermolysis bullosa].

The epidermolysis bullosa are a group of genodermatoses in which there is congenital fragility of the skin which produce blisters with the least of traumas. The group includes up to thirty clinical-genetical entities. They are classified according to the level where the blister is found into simplex or epidermolytic (intraepitelial blister), junctional (blister in the dermoepidermal junction) and dystrophic or dermolytic (subepidermal blister) epidermolysis bullosa. The symptoms, classic or Mendelian genetics and the recent findings in the most frequent forms of each one of these groups are reviewed. In most of them, the gene that produces the mutations and the chromosome in which its locus is found are known. In the simplex forms, the disorders lies in the genes that codify the different keratins. In the junctional ones, mutations are found in the laminin genes that act in the development of the anchoring filaments or in those of the other components of the basement membrane. In the dystrophic ones, which are the most serious, the mutations affect the collagen VII gene that codify the development of the anchoring fibrils. There is no treatment for any of the forms of epidermolysis bullosa. It is possible that the future advances in genetic engineering can contribute to their prophylaxis.

Basement Membrane↗

Efficacy and safety of endoscopic dilation of esophageal strictures in epidermolysis bullosa.

BACKGROUND: Epidermolysis bullosa is a rare genetically determined disorder of the stratified squamous epithelium. Patients with the most severe forms develop scarring of the esophagus after ingestion of food. This results in dysphagia, which severely compromises the ability to eat. Maintenance of adequate nutritional intake is a central aim, but the most appropriate method is unknown. METHODS: The results of endoscopic through-the-scope balloon dilation under propofol anesthesia in 53 patients with epidermolysis bullosa and esophageal strictures are reported. RESULTS: Seventy-five percent of patients had a single stricture (range 1 to 6 strictures), most often in the proximal esophagus (median 20 cm from incisors). A total of 182 dilations were performed (median two per patient) over a median follow-up period of 3.5 years. For all but 3 patients, there was an improvement in the dysphagia score. There was a mean increase in weight after the procedure of 2.9 kg: 95% CI[2.0, 3.8]; p<0.001, over a median 29 days. There was no significant post-procedure morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic balloon dilation is a safe and effective treatment for the esophageal strictures of epidermolysis bullosa. In the majority of patients, dilation relieves dysphagia and improves nutritional status.

Adolescent↗

A glycine-to-arginine substitution in the triple-helical domain of type VII collagen in a family with dominant dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa pruriginosa.

Epidermolysis bullosa pruriginosa is a recently recognized variant of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) characterized by severe pruritus and scarring, mainly involving the extensors of the extremities. In this study, we searched for mutations in the type VII collagen gene (COL7A1) using polymerase chain reaction amplification of exonic segments of COL7A1, followed by heteroduplex analysis, in a Chinese pedigree with dominant DEB displaying a striking anastomosing network of lichenoid papules and scarring. The study revealed a G-to-A transition at nucleotide 6724 within exon 85 of COL7A1, converting a glycine to an arginine (G2242R) within the triple-helical domain of the type VII collagen in affected individuals. These findings demonstrate that EB pruriginosa in this family is a clinical variant of dominant DEB.

Adult↗

Corneal perforation as a complication of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is now recognised as a histopathologically distinct condition. Ocular complications of hereditary epidermolysis bullosa (EB) have been well documented, but little has been reported with respect to the ocular manifestations associated with the acquired form. A patient with EBA and sarcoidosis--an association that does not appear to have been previously reported--developed spontaneous peripheral corneal melting and perforation. The defect healed with the use of a bandage contact lens, antibiotics, mydriatics and pulsed intravenous steroids, and resulted in a satisfactory visual outcome.

Adult↗

Combined medical-dental treatment of an epidermolysis bullosa patient.

Epidermolysis bullosa presents a wide range of clinical symptoms. In this case, a patient had recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa that required dental treatment. Standard protocol modifications and medical considerations were required in preparation for general anesthesia. Postoperative follow-up, including monitoring the relationship of the patient's disease state to dental health, is recommended.

Anesthesia, Dental↗

Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in therapy-resistant epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita is an uncommon autoimmune bullous disease of the skin and mucous membranes. It is chronic, disabling, and difficult to treat. We describe a case of severe epidermolysis bullosa acquisita of 7 years' duration that had been treated with azathioprine, corticosteroids, chlorambucil, plasma exchanges, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, and colchicine without any lasting effect. Seven cycles of treatment were administered with immunoglobulin given intravenously at a low dose, 40 mg/kg body weight daily for 5 days. The patient was free of disease for 10 months after the initiation of therapy. We suggest that low-dose regimens of immunoglobulins may be as effective in this disease as the high-dose regimens suggested in the literature, and at much lower cost.

Adult↗

Anesthetic implications in epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica.

Epidermolysis bullosa is a genetic mechanobullous disease of the stratified squamous keratinizing epithelium that affects the skin and mucous membranes. Its primary feature is the formation of blisters after minor shearing trauma to the skin or mucous membranes that can result in debilitating, even life-threatening scarring. The disease presents special problems for the anesthesia provider because the equipment used to deliver anesthesia and monitor vital signs may cause serious postoperative complications. The challenge is to maintain patency of the airway and use monitoring technology without damaging epithelial surfaces, which could result in permanent scarring. Successful anesthetic management of a patient with epidermolysis bullosa is possible if precautions with anesthetic instrumentation are observed.

Adult↗

Reduced anchoring fibril formation and collagen VII immunoreactivity in feline dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa was diagnosed in a cat with juvenile-onset epithelial sloughing of the oral mucosa, footpads, and haired skin. Dermoepidermal separation occurred in the absence of inflammation or cytolysis of basal epidermal cells. Collagen IV-specific immunostaining corroborated the fact that clefting took place below the epidermal basement membrane. Ultrastructural examination revealed that the proband's anchoring fibrils exhibited a filamentous morphology and were decreased in number compared with those in a normal cat. Finally, the attenuated immunoreactivity for collagen VII in our patient led us to suspect that its encoding gene, COL7A1, could be mutated in this case of feline dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

Animals↗

Three novel homozygous point mutations and a new polymorphism in the COL17A1 gene: relation to biological and clinical phenotypes of junctional epidermolysis bullosa.

Junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) is a clinically and biologically heterogeneous genodermatosis, characterized by trauma-induced blistering and healing without scarring but sometimes with skin atrophy. We investigated three unrelated patients with different JEB phenotypes. Patients 1 and 2 had generalized atrophic benign epidermolysis bullosa (GABEB), with features including skin atrophy and alopecia. Patient 3 had the localisata variant of JEB, with predominantly acral blistering and normal hair. All patients carried novel homozygous point mutations (Q1016X, R1226X, and R1303Q) in the COL17A1 gene encoding collagen XVII, a hemidesmosomal transmembrane component; and, therefore, not only GABEB but also the localisata JEB can be a collagen XVII disorder. The nonsense mutations led to drastically reduced collagen XVII mRNA and protein levels. In contrast, the missense mutation allowed expression of abnormal collagen XVII, and epidermal extracts from that patient contained polypeptides of normal size, as well as larger aggregates. The homozygous nonsense mutations in the COL17A1 gene were consistent with the absence of the collagen from the skin and with the GABEB phenotype, whereas homozygosity for the missense mutation resulted in expression of aberrant collagen XVII and, clinically, in localisata JEB.

Adolescent↗

Laryngeal manifestations of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita is an acquired blistering skin disease caused by autoantibodies to the dermoepidermal junction of the skin. Patients present with tense bullae over areas of trauma, commonly the palms, soles, elbows, and knees. When the lesions heal, they leave a dense scar. In the head and neck, bullae in the buccal mucosa and the cervical esophagus cause strictures. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita of the larynx. The patient had severe supraglottic stenosis that was caused by the trauma of a routine intubation. We describe the clinical and histologic characteristics of the disease and suggest managing the strictures with balloon dilation to minimize trauma and prevent further lesions and scarring.

Adult↗

Esophageal replacement in two siblings with epidermolysis bullosa.

Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is an inherited disorder of squamous epithelium that results in dystrophic scarring of the skin after minor trauma. Although severe scarring of the skin is the most common and obvious complication of the disease, esophageal scarring with formation of long strictures may also develop. In two affected siblings, such esophageal strictures occurred and progressed in severity to degrees necessitating esophageal replacement. Each received a preoperative period of total parenteral nutrition, which was continued into the postoperative period. In one, an isoperistaltic segment of right colon was placed substernally in a single stage procedure. In the other, a substernal reversed gastric tube was constructed, also in a single stage. This latter procedure was shorter and technically simpler than the colon interposition. The early postoperative courses in both were complicated by cervical anastomotic leaks, which sealed spontaneously during a period of parenteral nutrition and gastrostomy feedings. Both subsequently developed cervical anastomotic strictures. These were successfully managed by dilatations, and both patients are now tolerating a solid diet. Neither patient experienced problems from endotracheal intubation. Epithelial loss occurred in the skin adjacent to the surgical incision but healed quickly with topical silver sulfadiazine therapy. This report confirms previous reports that esophageal replacement is well tolerated by patients with epidermolysis bullosa and suggests that the reversed gastric tube technique, not previously reported used for this disease, may be preferable to colon esophagoplasty.

Adult↗

Identification of the skin basement-membrane autoantigen in epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita is an acquired chronic blistering disease of the skin, in which separation of the skin occurs in the basement-membrane zone between the epidermis and the dermis. There is evidence that blistering is initiated by an immune process. Using serum samples from nine patients as a source of antibodies, we have identified a major protein of the basement membrane of human skin that serves as the antigen (or target) for autoantibodies in this disorder. This previously unrecognized protein, which consists of two components of 290,000 and 145,000 daltons, is distinct from other known components of the basement membrane. These studies provide evidence that epidermolysis bullosa acquisita is a specific disease that is different from other primary bullous diseases, such as bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus vulgaris, and suggest that the basement-membrane component that has been identified may have a role in normal epidermal-dermal adherence.

Antigens↗

Mutations in the 180-kD bullous pemphigoid antigen (BPAG2), a hemidesmosomal transmembrane collagen (COL17A1), in generalized atrophic benign epidermolysis bullosa.

Junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) is a heterogeneous autosomal recessively inherited blistering skin disorder associated with fragility at the dermal-epidermal junction. Characteristic ultrastructural findings in JEB are abnormalities in the hemidesmosome-anchoring filament complexes. These focal attachment structures, which extend from the intracellular compartment of the basal keratinocytes to the underlying basement membrane, have been shown to be hypoplastic or rudimentary in different forms of JEB. Previously, in different JEB phenotypes, mutations have been found in the three genes for the anchoring filament component laminin 5 (LAMA3, LAMB3, and LAMC2) and in the gene for the hemidesmosome-associated integrin beta 4 subunit. Here, we describe the first mutations in the gene encoding the 180-kD bullous pemphigoid antigen (BPAG2), a transmembranous hemidesmosomal collagen, also known as type XVII collagen (COL17A1). The patient is affected with generalized atrophic benign epidermolysis bullosa (GABEB), a rare variant of JEB, and is a compound heterozygote for premature termination codons on both alleles. These novel findings emphasize the molecular heterogeneity of this group of genodermatoses, and attest to the importance of BPAG2 in maintaining adhesion between the epidermis and the dermis.

Adolescent↗

Graftskin therapy in epidermolysis bullosa.

BACKGROUND: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a family of 23 genetic skin disorders for which treatments are mainly supportive. Graftskin is a bilayered living human skin construct characterized by a normal expression profile of all the genes reported as mutant in EB. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency and durability of graftskin in the treatment of EB. METHODS: A total of 9 children with EB were treated with graftskin. These include EB simplex: Dowling-Meara type (n = 2); Weber-Cockayne type (n = 1); junctional EB-Herlitz type (n = 1); and recessive dystrophic EB (n = 5). Lesions were debrided of epidermis and crusts followed by application of fenestrated graftskin under sterile conditions. Syndactyly hand release for "mitten deformity" was performed after removal of all epidermis under general anesthesia. All treatment sites were dressed with a nonadherent contact layer followed by absorbent foam dressing, roll gauze, and a compression wrap covering and were left intact for 1 week. Graft take was assessed clinically at weeks 1, 2, 4, 12, and 20 to 28. Graft persistence was assessed by electron microscopy and polymerase chain reaction analysis at weeks 4 and 12, and between weeks 20 and 28 on selected cases. RESULTS: A total of 96 sites were treated with 90% to 100% healing observed by 5 to 7 days, and many sites appearing as normal skin by 10 to 14 days. Finger and hand lesions showed 50% to 90% improvement in range of motion over baseline. Two children learned to walk after graftskin treatment of chronic plantar lesions. Two children had improvement in their chronic anemia after graftskin treatment. All patients and/or parents reported rapid pain resolution. Immunologic and genetic studies of graft persistence revealed evidence of donor DNA up to 28 weeks after graftskin application. None of the samples from female patients demonstrated Y chromosome-specific sequence when analyzed by the method of short tandem repeat. CONCLUSION: The encouraging results reported herein support the hypothesis that graftskin is more than a simple bandage or a source of growth factors to stimulate autologous closure of EB wounds. The improved quality of life and rapid achievement of growth/development milestones we have observed makes this an exciting step forward in the care of the patient with EB.

Adolescent↗

HLA and epidermolysis bullosa: evidence for independent assortment of Weber-Cockayne subtype of epidermolysis bullosa and HLA complex.

The purpose of this study was to examine the genetic linkage (but not the association) between HLA complex and Weber-Cockayne Subtype of epidermolysis bullosa (EBS-WC). We HLA typed 44 members of three multi-generation families in which 24 members have the clinical evidence of EBS-WC. The patterns of inheritance of various HLA haplotypes and the disease were mathematically analyzed to estimate frequency of recombination (i.e. genetic distance) between HLA complex and the disease by calculating Lod Scores for each family separately as well as all for three families combined. Our results show that only one family had a positive Lod Score. The Lod Scores for the remaining two families as well as the combined Lod Score for all three families were negative. These data suggest that odds are against the genetic linkage between HLA complex and Weber-Cockayne Subtype of epidermolysis bullosa and in favor of independent assortment of the disease and HLA complex.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Epidermolysis bullosa: variability of expression of cicatricial pemphigoid, bullous pemphigoid, and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita antigens in clinically uninvolved skin.

Indirect immunofluorescence was performed on skin from 13 patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) (simplex, 6; junctional, 2; dystrophic, 5) to compare the expression of 3 basement membrane components, bullous pemphigoid (BP) antigen, cicatricial pemphigoid (CP) antigen, and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) antigen, in clinically uninvolved tissue. In addition, expression of laminin, type IV collagen, and KF-1 antigen was also evaluated. Whereas laminin, type IV collagen, and KF-1 antigen were each detectable in EB skin in a manner identical to that previously reported, marked variability was noted in the expression of BP, CP, and EBA antigens. However, no correlation was noted comparing lack of expression of any one of these latter antigens with either of the remaining two. Of these 3 antigens, BP antigen was the least often detectable, particularly in skin from patients with EB simplex. The lack of detectable BP antigen in EB simplex skin appeared to correlate with more extensive disease involvement and/or younger patient age. These findings may, therefore, limit the usefulness of BP serum in immunofluorescence mapping. Additionally, the disparity in expression of basement membrane antigens defined by BP and CP sera suggests that BP antigen and CP antigen are distinct entities.

Antigens↗