Jump to content

Hailey–Hailey disease

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by ClueBot NG (talk | contribs) at 04:26, 30 May 2011 (Reverting possible vandalism by 68.56.253.123 to version by Rjwilmsi. False positive? Report it. Thanks, ClueBot NG. (441782) (Bot)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Hailey–Hailey disease
SpecialtyMedical genetics Edit this on Wikidata

Hailey–Hailey disease, or Familial benign chronic pemphigus[1]: 559  or Familial benign pemphigus[2]: 622 , was originally described by the Hailey brothers (Hugh Edward and William Howard) in 1939.[3][4] It is a genetic disorder that causes blisters to form on the skin. Sometimes known as Gougerot-Hailey-Hailey syndrome to acknowledge the contribution of Henri Gougerot in 1933.

Signs and symptoms

It is characterized by outbreaks of rashes and blisters in the skin, usually in the folds of the skins, but also often over large areas of the body. The painful blisters break and sometimes become infected and raw, with new blisters forming over raw skin in a sometimes seemingly unending cycle of outbreaks.

Causes

The cause of the disease is a haploinsufficiency of the enzyme ATP2C1[5]; the ATP2C1 gene is located on chromosome 3, which encodes the protein hSPCA1. A mutation on one copy of the gene causes only half of this necessary protein to be made and the cells of the skin do not adhere together properly, causing acantholysis, blisters and rashes. There is no cure.

The differential diagnosis includes intertrigo, candidiasis, and frictional or contact dermatitis. A biopsy and/or family history can confirm. The lack of oral lesions and intercellular antibodies distinguishes familial benign pemphigus from other forms of pemphigus.

Treatment

Topical steroid preparations often help outbreaks; use of the weakest corticosteroid that is effective is recommended to help prevent thinning of the skin. Drugs such as antibiotics, antifungals, corticosteroids, dapsone, methotrexate, thalidomide, etretinate, cyclosporine and, most recently, intramuscular alefacept may control the disease but are ineffective for severe chronic or relapsing forms of the disease. Intracutaneous injections of botulinum toxin to inhibit perspiration may be of benefit.[6] Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding heat and friction of affected areas, and keeping the area clean and dry may help prevent flares.

Some have found relief in laser resurfacing that burns off the top layer of the epidermis, allowing healthy non-affected skin to regrow in its place.

Secondary bacterial, fungal and/or viral infections are common and may exacerbate an outbreak. Some patients have found that outbreaks are triggered by certain foods, hormone cycles and stress.

See also

References

  1. ^ James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. (10th ed.). Saunders. ISBN 0721629210.
  2. ^ Freedberg, et al. (2003). Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0071380760.
  3. ^ synd/2081 at Who Named It?
  4. ^ H. Hailey, H. Hailey. Familial benign chronic pemphigus. Report of 13 cases in four generations of a family and report of 9 additional cases in 4 generations of a family. Archives of Dermatology and Syphilology, Chicago, 1939, 39: 679-685.
  5. ^ Hu Z, Bonifas JM, Beech J; et al. (2000). "Mutations in ATP2C1, encoding a calcium pump, cause Hailey-Hailey disease". Nat. Genet. 24 (1): 61–5. doi:10.1038/71701. PMID 10615129. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Carpenter, Teresa; Merchant, Farrukh (November 2008), "Familial benign pemphigus", Consultant, 48 (12)