Bullous pemphigoid complicated by cytomegalovirus disease as a manifestation of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome: retrospective analyses of our institutional cases and literature review

Recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of DIHS/DRESS in 2025

Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) or drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a severe drug reaction characterized by a range of clinical manifestations. These range from mild cases resolving upon cessation of the causative drug to severe cases involving complex disease progression and potential fatality. A hallmark of DIHS/DRESS is the sequential reactivation of herpesviruses, particularly human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), during the disease course, contributing to recurrent symptoms. Viral reactivation can lead to critical complications, including infectious DIHS/DRESS-associated complications (iDACs) and autoimmune sequelae (aDACs). Managing DIHS/DRESS remains challenging due to its complexity, requiring precise prediction and tailored treatment strategies. Recent studies suggest that early-stage classification using the DIHS/DRESS Severity (DDS) score may help identify refractory cases, including DACs. Furthermore, early intervention with anti-cytomegalovirus (anti-CMV) therapy can mitigate iDACs caused by CMV reactivation, preventing progression to severe CMV-related diseases. Long-term follow-up is crucial, as aDACs can manifest even 3 years postonset. Serial monitoring is recommended, particularly in patients treated with intravenous immunoglobulin or corticosteroid pulse therapy, which are recognized risk factors for aDAC development. This review highlights DIHS/DRESS management strategies, focusing on its clinical features, the role of viral reactivation, and therapeutic interventions.

Cutaneous Cytomegalovirus Infection Presenting As Recalcitrant Bullous Pemphigoid Lesion

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is common among immunocompromised hosts; however, its cutaneous manifestation is considered rare in comparison to internal organ involvement. Clinical manifestations of cutaneous CMV infection generally include perioral or perianal ulcerations. On the other hand, autoimmune bullous dermatosis can have bullae and ulcerations similar to those caused by cutaneous CMV infection. Autoimmune bullous dermatosis requires treatment with immunosuppressive agents for relatively long periods, which may cause reduction of immunocompetence. Because of this iatrogenic immunosuppression, patients with autoimmune bullous dermatosis subsequently acquire increased risk for opportunistic infections. However, cases of bullous pemphigoid (BP) complicated by cutaneous CMV infection are rarely reported. Herein, we report the case of an 88-year-old male who had BP and subsequently recalcitrant perianal skin lesions, which were eventually diagnosed as cutaneous CMV infections.

Anti-Cytomegalovirus Therapy: Whether and When to Initiate, Those Are the Questions

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation in patients with autoimmune bullous disease (AIBD) or severe drug eruption treated with immunosuppressive therapy was traditionally thought to be merely an epiphenomenon of the underlying immunosuppression. However, a detailed review of the clinical course of these patients revealed that CMV reactivation occurs upon rapid immune recovery, which is termed immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), and that the timely initiation of anti-CMV therapy, when combined with maintenance doses of immunosuppressive agents, contributes to a rapid resolution of severe infectious complications thought to be refractory to conventional immunosuppressive therapies and unrelated to CMV reactivation. Thus, CMV reactivation resulting in fatal outcomes (CMV-IRIS) can be prevented by the timely detection of CMV DNA or antigens in the blood and by rapidly starting anti-CMV therapy while maintaining immunosuppressive therapy. Anti-CMV therapy is highly recommended for patients with CMV-IRIS or severe drug eruption who have risk factors for CMV reactivation resulting in fatal outcomes.

Assessment of the Characteristics and Associated Factors of Infectious Complications in Bullous Pemphigoid

Objectives: 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. Design: 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. Medical profiles of medical history, diagnosis, infectious complications, and treatment plans were analyzed. The associated factors were compared between the subgroups, including inpatients and outpatients, different body sites of infection. Results: Of the total 252 patients with bullous pemphigoid (BP), 81 patients (81/252, 32.1%) had infectious complications. Forty-eight patients died from pulmonary infections (11/48, 22.9%), cardiovascular diseases (6/48, 12.5%), and other diseases. Infections were most frequently found in skin/mucosa (44/252, 17.5%), respiratory system (32/252, 12.7%), and blood (10/252, 4.0%). On multivariate analysis, risk factors of infections in BP were maximal control dose of corticosteroids (OR 2.539, 95% CI 1.456-4.430, p = 0.001), low serum albumin level (OR 2.557, 95% CI 1.283, 5.092, p = 0.007), hospitalization (OR 4.025, 95% CI 2.289, 7.079, p < 0.001), comorbidities including respiratory disease (OR 4.060, 95% CI, 1.861, 8.858, p < 0.001), eye disease (OR 4.431, 95% CI 1.864, 10.532, p < 0.001), and diabetes (OR 2.667, 95% CI 1.437, 4.949, p = 0.002). The rate of infection was significantly higher in inpatients compared to that in outpatients (54.0 vs. 20.6%, p < 0.001), with diverse risk factors. Mucocutaneous infections were associated with a maximal control dose of corticosteroid and other dermatoses. Respiratory infections were related to respiratory disease and old age, and hematologic infection was associated with low serum hemoglobin levels and mucosal involvement of BP. Both of them were associated with mucosal involvement of BP and high titer anti-BP180 antibody. Conclusions: Infectious complications of bullous pemphigoid are common and are associated with mucosal involvement of BP, more comorbidities, the higher dose of corticosteroids, and the lower level of serum albumin.