Identification of 2 Novel Mutations in ATP2C1 Gene in Hailey-Hailey Disease and a Literature Review of Variations in a Chinese Han Population

Hailey-Hailey Disease: An Update Review with a Focus on Treatment Data

Hailey-Hailey disease is a rare blistering dermatosis first described in 1939 by the brothers Howard and Hugh Hailey. Its incidence is estimated at 1/50,000. The inheritance is autosomal dominant with complete penetrance, but a variable expressivity in affected family members. Clinically, Hailey-Hailey disease presents between the third and fourth decade as flaccid vesicles and blisters on erythematous skin, giving rise to erosions, fissures, and vegetations. Maceration and superinfections are frequent. The lesions are typically distributed symmetrically within intertriginous regions such as the retroauricular folds, lateral aspects of the neck, axillae, umbilicus, inguinal, and perianal regions. The disease is characterized by a chronic relapsing course with spontaneous remissions and multiple recurrences. Severe disease can be very frustrating and have a major psychological and social impact. Given the dearth of evidence-based guidelines and large clinical trials, the assessment of the efficacy and safety of treatments is difficult. Treatments include topical and systemic agents, and procedural therapy such as lasers and surgery. This review provides a systematic search of the literature with a focus on classical and emerging treatment options for Hailey-Hailey disease.

Review of 52 cases with Hailey-Hailey disease identified 25 novel mutations in Chinese Han population

Hailey-Hailey disease (HHD) is a rare autosomal dominant inherited keratosis caused by mutations in ATP2C1. The aim of our study was to identify and analyze the features of the mutations in HHD. We examined 52 Chinese Han cases which were diagnosed as HHD based on their clinical and histological findings. Genomic DNA polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing of ATP2C1 were performed from peripheral blood samples of the patients and 100 unrelated healthy controls. Twenty-five novel mutations and 14 recurrent mutations were identified, including 11 (28.2%) missense mutations, nine (23.1%) frame-shift deletion mutations, eight (20.5%) nonsense mutations, seven (17.9%) splicing mutations and four (10.3%) frame-shift insertion mutations. Together with ours, all 209 mutations showed a uniform distribution without hotspots or clusters. In addition, there is no specific genotype-phenotype correlation in HHD. Our findings update the spectrum of mutations in ATP2C1.

Hailey-Hailey disease: the role of azathioprine an immunomodulator

Hailey-Hailey disease (HHD) is a rare autosomal dominant hereditary blistering and erosions disorder affecting the intertriginous regions of the body. There is still no treatment protocol for this disease thus clinicians are highly advised to draw up individualized treatment plan. In this case report, we discuss a case of HHD in a 58-year-old Chinese man who was successfully treated with azathioprine in Hubei province.