Bullous skin disease in systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Bullous systemic lupus erythematosus (BSLE) is an unusual cutaneous manifestation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) caused by autoantibodies targeting type VII collagen and other essential constituents of the dermal-epidermal junction. This rare entity is observed in patients who meet the American College of Rheumatology revised criteria for SLE and usually in the context of increased systemic disease activity. Differential diagnoses of BSLE include other autoimmune bullous diseases such as bullous pemphigoid, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, linear IgA bullous dermatosis and dermatitis herpetiformis which have also been reported in association with SLE.