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Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Granulocyte-dependent Autoantibody-induced Skin Blistering
12:23

Granulocyte-dependent Autoantibody-induced Skin Blistering

Published on: October 12, 2012

[Granulomatous skin disease in an immunocompromised child]

J Boudart1, W Fink, A Theunis

  • 1Département interhospitalier de dermatologie (CHU Saint-Pierre, CHU Brugmann, hôpital universitaire des enfants Reine-Fabiola), 15 avenue J.-J. Crocq, Brussels, Belgium. jboudart@ulb.ac.be

Annales De Dermatologie Et De Venereologie
|February 1, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Cutaneous granulomas in an immunocompromised child, not CVID, responded well to anti-TNFα therapy. This biotherapy successfully cleared lesions and prevented relapse, offering a new treatment avenue.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Dermatology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Systemic and cutaneous granulomas are linked to immunodeficiency, especially common variable immunodeficiency (CVID).
  • Cutaneous granulomas can manifest in immunocompromised individuals.

Observation:

  • A pediatric patient with undefined immunodeficiency presented with progressive facial and foot granulomatous lesions.
  • Standard laboratory tests ruled out infectious or neoplastic causes.
  • Biopsies confirmed granulomas, and corticosteroids were ineffective.

Findings:

  • Anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNFα) therapy led to complete resolution of cutaneous granulomas within 6 months.
  • Treatment was continued for an additional 6 months, with no recurrence observed 6 months post-discontinuation.

Implications:

  • This case highlights cutaneous granulomas in undefined immunodeficiency beyond CVID.
  • Successful anti-TNFα therapy suggests biotherapy as a viable treatment option for such cases.
  • Further research into granuloma pathogenesis and targeted therapies in immunodeficiency is warranted.
Abstract

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