title: Bullous pemphigoid.
abstract: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most common autoimmune bullous disorder which is characterized by autoantibodies against hemidesmosomal proteins of the skin and mucous membranes. Collagen XVII and dystonin-e have been identified as target antigens. BP affects mostly the elderly. The incidence of the disease is increasing gradually and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Clinically, BP is characterized by an intensely pruritic eruption with widespread bullous lesions. The clinical diagnosis can be challenging in the setting of atypical presentations. Diagnosis of BP relies on the integration of clinical, histological, immunopathological, and serological findings. The treatment is mainly based on topical and/or systemic glucocorticoids, but anti-inflammatory antibiotics and steroid sparing adjuvants are useful alternatives. Localised and mild BP can be treated with topical corticosteroids alone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany; Department of Dermatology, Ankara 29 Mayıs Government Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: Bagci.Isin_Sinem@med.uni-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Işın Sinem
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Bağcı
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Orsolya N
authors.initials: ON
authors.lastname: Horváth
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ruzicka
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany; Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Miklós
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sárdy
mesh_terms: D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D010391:Pemphigoid, Bullous / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies
keywords: Autoimmune bullous diseases; Bullous pemphigoid; Pemphigoid diseases