Bullous Pemphigoid Associated with Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident and Dementia: Exclusive Blistering Lesions on the Upper Hemiparetic Limb.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) has been associated with neurological disorders (NDs), which has led to the hypothesis that molecular mimicry exists between hemidesmosomal proteins and neuronal peptides. A 79-year-old hemiparetic woman presented with tense bullae affecting exclusively her right paretic upper limb for three months. Histopathology, taken from the perilesional area, revealed an inflammatory infiltrate with predominant eosinophils. IIF evidenced linear IgG deposition in the epidermal side of the cleavage. ELISA detected circulating anti-BP180 and anti-BP230 autoantibodies. Immunoblotting exhibited unspecific reactivity against the 190-kDa periplakin in normal human epidermal extract. The immunocompromised cutaneous district concept may explain the possible mechanism for the exclusive involvement of the autoimmune blistering disease in lymphedematous hemiparetic upper limb.