COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in patients with immunobullous diseases: a cross-sectional study of the International Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Foundation

Patients with autoimmune bullous diseases (AIBDs) have faced considerable challenges during the COVID-19 outbreak.¹ SARS-CoV-2 vaccines became an important public health solution, but the pandemic raised awareness of vaccine hesitancy.² We aimed to investigate the currently unknown general vaccination status among AIBD patients to better inform vaccine practices in this cohort of potentially life-threatening inflammatory disorders.

The burden of neurological comorbidities in six autoimmune bullous diseases: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

Apart from bullous pemphigoid (BP), the association of other autoimmune bullous diseases (AIBDs) with neurological conditions is poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the association between a wide array of AIBDs and neurological conditions.

METHODS

A retrospective cross-sectional study recruited patients with BP, mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP), epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA), pemphigoid gestationis (PG), pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF). These patients were compared with their age- and sex-matched control subjects with regard to the lifetime prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), stroke, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis (MS). Logistic regression was used to calculate OR for specified neurological disorders.

RESULTS

The current study included 1743, 251, 106, 126, 860 and 103 patients diagnosed with BP, MMP, EBA, PG, PV and PF, respectively. These patients were compared with 10 141, 1386, 606, 933, 5142 and 588 matched controls, respectively. Out of the investigated neurological conditions, PD associated with BP (OR, 2.71; 95% CI, 2.19-3.35); AD with BP (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.73-2.57), MMP (OR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.03-5.47), EBA (OR, 6.00; 95% CI, 1.90-18.97) and PV (OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.40-3.60); stroke with BP (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.55-2.19) and EBA (OR, 2.79; 95% CI, 1.11-7.01); and epilepsy with BP (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.72-2.77) and PV (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.19-2.73). MS did not significantly cluster with any of the six AIBDs.

CONCLUSION

In addition to BP, EBA and PV were found to cluster with neurological comorbidities. Patients with these AIBDs with compatible symptoms may be carefully assessed for comorbid neurological disorders.

Orale Toleranzinduktion bei Typ I-Allergie gegen Ei

Hühnerei ist eine Allergenquelle, die in unserer täglichen Ernährung in offener und versteckter Form häufig vorkommt. Eine Allergie dagegen geht oftmals mit schweren anaphylaktischen Reaktionen einher. Es ist im Alltag eine große Herausforderung, Hühnerei vollständig zu meiden. Betroffene sind eingeschränkt in ihrer Nahrungsauswahl und in ihrem sozialen Leben. Wir stellen eine Patientin vor, die nach dem Verzehr einer kleinen Probe des von ihr zubereiteten Kuchenteigs einen schweren anaphylaktischen Schock erlitt, der eine intensivmedizinische Versorgung erforderte. Mittels Hauttestung und IgE-Diagnostik wiesen wir eine Typ I-Sensibilisierung vorwiegend auf hitzelabile Einzelallergene in Hühnerei nach. Da die Patientin trotz Umsicht eine Aufnahme von Hühnerei nicht vollständig vermeiden konnte, begannen wir mit einer spezifischen oralen Toleranzinduktion (SOTI) mit verbackenem bzw. durcherhitztem Ei. Unter dieser Behandlung konnte die Patientin bis heute eine erneute anaphylaktische Reaktion vermeiden und gleichzeitig die zuvor bestehenden Einschränkungen ihres täglichen Lebens deutlich lindern. Trotz dieses Erfolges kann die SOTI mangels etablierter und sicherer Protokolle noch nicht standardmäßig empfohlen werden und sollte nur in besonderen Fällen in Erwägung gezogen werden.

Klinik für Dermatologie, Allergologie und Venerologie der Universität zu Lübeck: Interaktion von Forschung und klinischer Versorgung

Die Ursprünge der Lübecker Universitäts-Hautklinik reichen in die 30er-Jahre des letzten Jahrhunderts zurück. Die Klinik hat in den letzten Jahrzehnten eine konsequente bauliche und inhaltliche Weiterentwicklung erfahren und verfügt heute über 85 Betten auf 2 Stationen und in einer Tagesklinik. Ein modernes Weiterbildungsprogramm, das auf einem Rotationsprinzip durch 5 verschiedene stationäre und ambulante Teams beruht, vermittelt alle wesentlichen Lerninhalte der Dermatologie. Die Erweiterung der Klinik in den letzten Jahren beruhte auf einer engen Interaktion von Grundlagenforschung und klinischer Tätigkeit, insbesondere auf dem Gebiet kutaner Autoimmunerkrankungen und entzündlicher Dermatosen. Die wissenschaftliche Entwicklung der Hautklinik profitierte seit 2007 insbesondere von der Förderung durch die Exzellenzinitiative des Bundes (Exzellenzcluster Inflammation at Interfaces). Daneben wurde durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) seit 2011 unter Federführung der Hautklinik ein Graduiertenkolleg Modulation of Autoimmunity gefördert, das zur Entwicklung des wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchses und zur Ausbildung zahlreicher naturwissenschaftlicher und medizinischer Doktoranden/Doktorandinnen1 beitrug. Seit 2015 besteht an der Klinik auch eine Klinische Forschungsgruppe der DFG zum Thema Pemphigoid Diseases – Molecular Pathways and their Therapeutic Potential. Im Jahr 2018 haben Mitarbeiter der Klinik wesentlich zur Einwerbung eines Clinician Scientist-Programms der DFG beigetragen, das die wissenschaftliche Ausbildung forschender Kliniker verbessern soll. In den letzten Jahren haben sich aus der Lübecker Hautklinik heraus 2 eigenständige Institute neu etabliert. Hierzu zählen das Institut für Entzündungsmedizin unter der Leitung von Prof. Diamant Thaçi, in dem klinische Studien zu entzündlichen Hauterkrankungen initiiert und koordiniert werden und die Versorgung von Patienten mit entzündlichen Dermatosen stattfindet. Daneben ist aus der Hautklinik heraus das Lübecker Institut für Experimentelle Dermatologie (LIED) entstanden, in dem derzeit 5 Professoren mit ihren jeweiligen Arbeitsgruppen zu unterschiedlichen Themen der Entzündung an der Haut forschen. Die interdisziplinären wissenschaftlichen Aktivitäten zur Entzündung an der Haut am Lübecker Campus werden seit 2015 in einem Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin (CRIS) gebündelt. CRIS erhielt kürzlich die Zusage für ein eigenständiges Forschungsgebäude, das nach § 91 Grundgesetz durch Bund und Land finanziert wird und derzeit im Zentrum des Lübecker Campus entsteht. Der Ausbau der Forschungsstrukturen der Klinik ging mit der Einrichtung von Spezialambulanzen für verschiedene entzündliche Hauterkrankungen, aber auch für die Versorgung von Hautkrebs und chronischen Wunden einher. Die Klinik verfügt über ein zertifiziertes Hautkrebszentrum und ist Teil der Lübecker universitären Gefäß- und Krebszentren. Weitere wichtige Pfeiler der klinischen Versorgung sind zertifizierte diagnostische Einsendelabore für Dermato-Histopathologie und kutane Autoimmunerkrankungen.

A sensitive and specific assay for the serological diagnosis of antilaminin 332 mucous membrane pemphigoid

BACKGROUND

Antilaminin 332 mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is an autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease with predominant mucosal involvement and autoantibodies against laminin 332. Malignancies have been associated with this disease; however, no standardized detection system for antilaminin 332 serum antibodies is widely available.

OBJECTIVES

Development of a sensitive and specific assay for the detection of antilaminin 332 antibodies.

METHODS

An indirect immunofluorescence (IF) assay using recombinant laminin 332 was developed and probed with a large number of antilaminin 332 MMP patient sera (n = 93), as well as sera from patients with antilaminin 332-negative MMP (n = 153), bullous pemphigoid (n = 20), pemphigus vulgaris (n = 20) and noninflammatory dermatoses (n = 22), and healthy blood donors (n = 100).

RESULTS

In the novel IF assay, sensitivities with the laminin 332 heterotrimer and the individual α3, β3 and γ2 chains were 77%, 43%, 41% and 13%, respectively, with specificities of 100% for each substrate. The sensitivity for the heterotrimer increased when an anti-IgG4 enriched antitotal IgG conjugate was applied. Antilaminin 332 reactivity paralleled disease activity and was associated with malignancies in 25% of patients with antilaminin 332 MMP.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel IF-based assay will facilitate the serological diagnosis of antilaminin 332 MMP and may help to identify patients at risk of a malignancy.

Effektivität der Sklerosierungstherapie in Abhängigkeit vom Alter der Patienten

In clinical practice sclerotherapy of intradermal varicose veins seems to be more effective in elderly patients. Patients, methods: After prior duplex-sonographic investigation 48 patients with intradermal varicose veins (diameter 1–2 mm, C1,EP, AS, PR) were included. 24 patients (group 1) received Polidocanol (0.25% Aethoxysklerol®) injection sclerotherapy and 24 patients (group 2) received sodium chloride injections. In all subjects an area of 100 square centimetres of the lower limb was treated. The borders of each area were marked and photo documented. The injections were performed by an examiner who was unaware of which liquid had been injected. Compression therapy was performed for one week after the treatment. One and four weeks later the results were controlled by the physician who performed the injections and documented by an independent photographer. The glossy prints of the areas before and four weeks after the treatment were sent to two blinded independent external reviewers. The reviewers noted their evaluation on a visual analogue scale (VAS). The reviewers received each anonymous photodocument twice within 3 weeks. Results: The VAS of both experts showed a significant difference between the results in group 1 and group 2 (p < 0.0001). Median of efficacy was 58.5% in group 1 (verum) and 0.5% in group 2 (placebo). Both experts had a stable intraindividual reliability of 85% and further both raters didn´t differ concerning their ratings. In group 1 (verum) the Pearson correlation coefficient showed a significant correlation between the therapeutic outcome and the age of the treated patients. Conclusions: Injection sclerotherapy of intradermal varicose veins using 0.25 %Polidocanol (Aethoxysklerol) is an efficient treatment that leads to a good aesthetic outcome. In elderly patients sclerotherapy is more efficient.

Are Sonographically Measured Vascular Haemodynamic Parameters Reproducible Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging?

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND

Hemodynamic measurements of blood flow in the common femoral vein and artery can be performed readily using duplex sonography. The ratio of venous to arterial volume flow in these vessels, the venous arterial flow index (VAFI), is increased in patients with varicose veins and/or chronic venous disease. The objective was to determine the reproducibility of sonographically measured hemodynamic flow parameters using phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

METHODS

Based on hemodynamic volume flow measurements from the common femoral vein and artery the VAFI was calculated in seven patients with varicose veins (C2, Ep, As, Pr) and 32 healthy controls using standard duplex sonography and MRI.

RESULTS

Based on duplex sonography, the average VAFI (VAFI_{_d}) was 1.05 ± 0.17. The same ratio, using MRI (VAFI__mri) was 1.05 ± 0.19. There was a significant correlation between the VAFI_{_d} and the VAFI__MRI (p = .0021). In patients with venous disease, the average VAFI_{_d} and VAFI__mri were 1.36 ± 0.21 and 1.36 ± 0.20, respectively. In contrast, in the healthy cohort the VAFI_{_d} was 1.00 ± 0.12 and the VAFI__mri measured 1.01 ± 0.15. As expected, there was a significant difference between the VAFI measured in those with venous disease when compared with that of healthy controls (p < .0001).

CONCLUSION

There is a significant correlation between the VAFI measured using sonography and MRI. The study confirmed the elevation of VAFI in patients with chronic venous disease.

Serum autoantibodies against the dermal-epidermal junction in patients with chronic pruritic disorders, elderly individuals and blood donors prospectively recruited

BACKGROUND

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a subepidermal blistering autoimmune disease characterized by autoantibodies against two structural proteins of the epidermal basal membrane zone (BMZ), BP180 (type XVII collagen) and BP230. Patients are usually old and suffer from severe pruritus. Advanced age and severe pruritus have been hypothesized as potential risk factors for the development of autoantibodies in BP.

OBJECTIVES

To prospectively determine anti-BMZ antibodies in sera from patients with advanced age and/or pruritus compared with regular blood donors.

METHODS

Sera from (i) patients with chronic pruritic skin disorders (PSD, n = 78; mean age 62 years), (ii) patients with noninflammatory skin disease aged ≥ 70 years (n = 93; mean age 78 years), and (iii) blood donors (n = 50; mean age 41 years) were included. A large panel of validated test systems used for routine diagnosis were employed comprising indirect immunofluorescence (IF) microscopy on monkey oesophagus and human salt-split skin, BP180 NC16A- and BP230-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) systems, and immunoblotting with various substrates, including LAD-1 (the soluble ectodomain of BP180), BP180, BP230, laminin 332, p200 antigen, laminin γ1 and type VII collagen.

RESULTS

No statistically significant difference was seen between the three study groups. The same result was obtained when data for IF microscopy, ELISA and immunoblotting were analysed separately.

CONCLUSIONS

Neither advanced age nor chronic pruritus have been verified as risk factors for autoantibodies against the epidermal BMZ.

Catheter-directed foam sclerotherapy of great saphenous veins in combination with pre-treatment reduction of the diameter employing the principals of perivenous tumescent local anesthesia

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate occlusion rates of great saphenous veins (GSV) with a diameter between 5-10 mm that received a pre-treatment size reduction via perivenous tumescent application (TA) followed by catheter-directed foam sclerotherapy (CDFS).

METHODS

A prospective blinded randomized clinical trial comparing the occlusion rates of GSV at 1-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. Fifty patients were included and randomized into two groups. CDFS was performed accessing the GSV at knee level and applying 8 mL of 2% polidocanol-foam (EasyFoam) while the catheter was withdrawn. Strictly perivenous TA was performed in group 1 before applying the sclerosant agent. Occlusion rates and clinical scores were assessed by blinded examiners.

RESULTS

After 12 months in group 1 full occlusion was achieved in 73.9%, partial occlusion in 8.7%, and 17.4% were classified as treatment failure. In group 2, 75% of the targeted GSV were fully occluded, 20% were partially occluded, and 5% were diagnosed as treatment failure. Both groups showed a significant reduction of the vein diameter. Patient's tolerance and satisfaction with the treatment was high in both groups.

CONCLUSION

No benefit could be found using additional TA to reduce the vein diameter before the treatment.

[Treatment-refractory anti-laminin 332 mucous membrane pemphigoid. Remission following adjuvant immunoadsorption and rituximab]

Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is clinically characterized by predominant involvement of mucous membranes which in case of conjunctival lesions can lead to blindness. In MMP, autoantibodies are directed against different proteins of the dermal-epidermal junction; in 25% of cases, laminin 332 is the target. Anti-laminin 332 MMP with ocular involvement is particularly difficult to treat. A 46-year-old Caucasian man with anti-laminin 332 pemphigoid and extensive oral and nasal erosions as well as severe conjunctival involvement did not respond to intravenous dexamethasone-cyclophosphamide pulses combined with oral cyclophosphamide. After initiation of a therapeutic regimen originally established for the treatment of pemphigus, including immunoapheresis and rituximab in combination with intravenous dexamethasone-cyclophosphamide pulses and oral mycophenolate mofetil, lesions cleared within 4 months and circulating autoantibody levels became undetectable 3 months later. This is the first report of the successful use of adjuvant immunoapheresis and rituximab in previously treatment-refractory anti-laminin 332 MMP.

Development of a simple enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of autoantibodies in anti-p200 pemphigoid

BACKGROUND

Anti-p200 pemphigoid is a subepidermal blistering skin disease characterized by autoantibodies against a 200-kDa protein (p200) of the dermal-epidermal junction. The laminin γ1 chain has recently been identified as target antigen in this disease and the C-terminus was described as an immunodominant region of laminin γ1. Diagnosis of anti-p200 pemphigoid requires detection of serum IgG at the dermal side of 1 mol L(-1) salt-split skin by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy and labelling of a 200-kDa protein by Western blotting of dermal extract. However, preparation of dermal extract is not widely available, limiting the possibility of diagnosing this disease to a few laboratories.

OBJECTIVES

To develop a simple, sensitive and specific diagnostic tool for anti-p200 pemphigoid.

METHODS

Sera from patients with anti-p200 pemphigoid (n = 35), bullous pemphigoid (BP, n = 101), epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA, n = 10), antilaminin 332 mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP, n = 14), pemphigus vulgaris (PV, n = 51) and healthy volunteers (HV, n = 131) were tested by a novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that employed a recombinant monomeric C-terminal fragment of human laminin γ1 (hLAMC1-cterm) expressed in Escherichia coli.

RESULTS

Serum reactivity with hLAMC1-cterm was detected in sera from 24 of 35 (69%) patients with anti-p200 pemphigoid, two of 101 (2%) with BP, 0 of 10 with EBA, two of 14 (14%) with anti-laminin 332 MMP, 0 of 51 with PV, and 0 of 131 HV.

CONCLUSIONS

This novel ELISA will facilitate the diagnosis of anti-p200 pemphigoid.

Clearance rates of circulating and tissue-bound autoantibodies to type VII collagen in experimental epidermolysis bullosa acquisita

BACKGROUND

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is a severe autoimmune skin disease characterized by autoantibodies to type VII collagen, the major component of anchoring fibrils. In this and other autoimmune bullous dermatoses, specific autoantibody detection systems are not only of diagnostic use but also allow monitoring of circulating and skin-bound autoantibodies during the course of the disease. However, little is known about their natural clearance rates in these different compartments.

OBJECTIVES

To study clearance rates of circulating and tissue-bound autoantibodies to type VII collagen in experimental EBA.

METHODS

Using offspring from mice with experimentally induced EBA, we examined retention times of diaplacentally transmitted autoantibodies to type VII collagen in serum of neonatal mice by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and of immunoreactant deposits in skin by direct immunofluorescence microscopy. Additionally, the pathogenic potential of transmitted autoantibodies was evaluated in descendant mice.

RESULTS

Immediately after birth, comparable levels of pathogenic antibody concentrations were observed in maternal and neonatal mice. The clearance time of skin-bound autoantibodies was twice as long as that of circulating autoantibodies (8 and 4 weeks, respectively). Maternofetal transfer of pathogenic autoantibodies produced specific immunopathological (IgG, IgG1, IgG2a/b and complement C3 deposits) but not histological or clinical alterations in skin of offspring mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Although still to be confirmed in humans, our findings add to the knowledge on turnover rates of circulating and skin-bound autoantibodies in autoimmune bullous dermatoses, which in turn may facilitate a more specific monitoring of these antibodies during the disease course, reduce the need for repeated skin biopsies, and may also be helpful in guiding treatment decisions.

IgE autoantibodies against the intracellular domain of BP180

BACKGROUND

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease characterized by autoantibodies against the hemidesmosomal proteins BP180 (type XVII collagen) and BP230. BP not only involves IgG-mediated neutrophil activation, leading to blistering, but also IgE-dependent activation of mast cells and basophils. While IgG and IgE autoantibodies target the extracellular noncollagenous (NC) 16A domain of BP180, little is known whether other BP180 regions are targeted by these antibody classes.

OBJECTIVES

To characterize IgE and IgG autoantibody binding to antigenic sites on the intracellular domain (ICD) of BP180 compared with BP180 NC16A.

METHODS

IgE/IgG autoreactivity against recombinant BP180 ICD and NC16A was determined by immunoblotting of sera from 18 patients with BP and 10 controls.

RESULTS

Total serum IgE was elevated in 16 of 18 BP sera. Most BP sera tested positive (15 of 18) to NC16A with both immunoglobulin classes. Additionally, 14 of 18 sera showed IgE reactivity with an epitope mapped to the ICD of BP180 (amino acid residues 103-266). Mapping of ICD antigenic sites revealed similar IgE and IgG reactivities for most regions except for greater IgE reactivity to amino acid residues 234-398 (11 of 18 BP sera) than IgG (five of 18). Control sera failed to display IgE reactivity to these antigens.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that BP180 NC16A is not the only antigenic determinant of IgE autoantibodies in BP and that additional, novel epitopes exist on different regions of the ICD of BP180. The heterogeneous autoimmune response against BP180 suggests intramolecular epitope spreading during disease progression.