Since the mid-1970s, membrane modules became available and plasma separation techniques have gained importance. Therapeutic apheresis (TA) has been successfully introduced in a variety of autoantibody-mediated diseases. In dermatology, TA is increasingly applied as a support treatment for severe and/or refractory autoimmune bullous diseases. All autoimmune disease are characterized by autoantib...

Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune blistering skin disease characterized by the presence of circulating autoantibodies which recognize specific proteins of the epidermis and dermoepidermal junction. Diagnosis is based on clinical criteria and laboratory investigations, notably histology, direct and indirect immunofluorescence, and ELISA. This study describes a new immunofluorescence assay for ...

It has been shown in animal models that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) are responsible for remodelling and neovascularization of the diseased cornea. Under normal conditions, MMPs are expressed at relatively low levels, which may increase in case of different corneal diseases. In this paper we have investigated gene expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2, matrix...

IMPORTANCE Linear IgA/IgG bullous dermatosis (LAGBD) is a relatively rare autoimmune bullous disease characterized by both IgA and IgG antibodies to epidermal basement membrane zone. The heterogeneity and pathogenesis of the LAGBD autoantigens have not been fully elucidated. OBSERVATIONS We report 3 Japanese cases of LAGBD (ages 81, 88, and 64 years; 1 woman and 2 men). The patients showed bu...

Autoimmune bullous diseases are systemic disorders with autoantibodies that result in blisters. Aim of this study was to indicate the spectrum and treatment modalities of five types of bullous disorders most prevalent in the south of Iran: pemphigus vulgaris (PV), pemphigus foliaceus (PF), epidermolysis bullousa aquisita (EBA), bullous pemphigoid (BP), and pemphigoid gestationis (PG). Patients ...

PURPOSE To describe the morphologic features of Fuchs corneal dystrophy and compare them with those of bullous keratopathy. METHODS This was an observational case series. The study group consisted of 32 corneal buttons with a diagnosis of Fuchs dystrophy and the comparison group consisted of 22 corneal buttons with bullous keratopathy. Morphologic analysis was performed of corneal buttons fro...

BACKGROUND Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune blistering disease, with relapses, isolated or associated with other autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Joint manifestations rapidly respond to small or moderate doses of corticosteroids, whereas skin manifestations usually respond to antimalarial drugs. CASE REPORT We describe the clinical case of an 11-year-old girl w...

A 43-year-old black man had an 18-year history of apical lung cystic-bullous disease. Following two episodes of spontaneous pneumothorax and two instances of thoracotomy for bullectomy and pleural abrasion, he was found to have an intermediate AAT deficiency with an MZ phenotype. It is believed that this is the first case of localized bullous lung disease to be reported in association with any ...