Bullous pemphigoid, BP is a chronic autoimmune skin disease, involving the formation of subepidermal (below the skin) blisters . The body makes antibodies against the body’s type XVII collagen.
Manifestation:
- Blisters appear as thin-walled sac filled with clear fluid.
- skin is typically very itchy
- large, red welts and hives may appear before or during the formation of blisters.
- The blisters are widespread and usually appear on the areas of the body that flex or move (flexural areas).
- About 15-20 percent of people with BP also develop blisters in the mouth or down the throat in the esophagus
Diagnosis:
- via skin biopsy
- tissue sample is taken and tested through autofluorescence for antibodies to collagen
Treatments:
- used to prevent infection
- provide symptom relief
- antibiotics such as tetracycline and minocycline are often used
- the use of oral steroids such as prednisone and prednilosone may be to relive symptoms in severe cases
- immunosupressants such as Immuran, Cellcept, Methotrexate, cyclophosphamide and Neoral may be used to manage symptoms.
Diaz, L A, Emery, D, J, Fairley, J A, Giudice, G J, Liu, Z, Taylor, A F and Troy, J L. 1993. A passive transfer model of the organ-specific autoimmune disease, bullous pemphigoid, using antibodies generated against the hemidesmosomal antigen, BP180. The Journal of Clinical Investigation. 92(5): 2480–2488.
