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Pemphigoid Gestationis Research Paper

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Pemphigoid gestationis (PG) is a very rare pregnancy-associated autoimmune skin disease that is characterized by an itchy rash that progresses to form blisters. Initially, the rash appears around the navel before spreading to other parts of the body including the back, trunk, arms, and buttocks. Areas such as the face, scalp, palms, soles and mucuous membranes are very rarely affected,

Whilst PG may occur at any time during pregnancy or even throughout, it is most common during the second and third trimesters – there is a possibility that the rise in estrogen associated in these stages both triggers and aggravates the condition. Symptoms may lessen or spontaneously resolve towards the end of the pregnancy but this is often short-lived, 75-80% of women will experience a flare around delivery

The condition generally lasts 6 months with …show more content…

It appears that following an immunological event, auto-antibodies of mainly the IgG1 subclass are produced that target and bind an extracellular domain of the carboxyl terminus of the bullous pemphigoid antigen (BPAg2 – also called BP180). BPAg2 is found within the basement membrane (the zone between the epidermis and the dermis).

Upon binding, the antigen-antibody complex activates a series of pathways thought to damage the dermal-epidermal junction, result in inflammation and separation of the epidermis from the dermis allowing fluid to build up and create a blister.Before the appearance of blisters, the rash in PG can look like that of numerous other skin diseases. Thus, there are diagnostic tests which have been outlined based on clinical picturing, direct immunofluorescence microscopy and serology.

A skin biopsy can useful in showing typical features of the subepidermal blistering. This is not a confirmation of PG because such blistering may be microscopically similar to that seen in dermatoses such as bullous pemphigoid (BP) or epidermolysis bullosa acquisita

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