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Published on: June 17, 2025
Pemphigoid gestationis: treatment with immunoapheresis
Stefan Wöhrl1, Alexandra Geusau, Franz Karlhofer
1Division of Immunology, Allergy and Infectious Diseases (DIAID), Department of Dermatology, University of Vienna Medical School (AKH Wien), Austria. stefan.woehrl@univie.ac.at
Summary
Pemphigoid gestationis, a rare pregnancy blistering disease, can be resistant to standard treatments. Immunoapheresis offers a safe and effective therapy option for severe, non-responsive cases, reducing autoantibodies.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Immunology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Pemphigoid gestationis is a rare autoimmune blistering disease occurring during pregnancy.
- Conventional treatments include topical/systemic corticosteroids and antihistamines.
Observation:
- A patient with severe, therapy-resistant pemphigoid gestationis was treated with adjunctive immunoapheresis.
- Six sessions of immunoapheresis were administered.
Findings:
- Successful treatment of severe pemphigoid gestationis with immunoapheresis.
- Significant reduction in serum autoantibodies against bullous pemphigoid antigen 2 (BPAG2/BP180).
- Systemic corticosteroid dosage was tapered during treatment.
Implications:
- Immunoapheresis is a viable therapeutic option for severe pemphigoid gestationis unresponsive to standard care.
- This treatment modality demonstrates a favorable side effect profile.
- Targeting autoantibodies via immunoapheresis can effectively manage severe cases of pemphigoid gestationis.
