Multiple sclerosis and bullous pemphigoid.

3 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who developed severe widespread bullous pemphigoid (BP) are presented. MS preceded the presentation of BP by 13-23 years (mean 18 years). BP was confirmed histologically and immunopathologically. Upon successful therapy with steroids, no recurrence of BP was observed over a 3-5 year (mean 3.7 years) follow-up. Several abnormalities of the immune system have been reported in both diseases. It is interesting to speculate that amidst existing immunologic abnormalities in all 3 patients with MS, a specific event, immunologic or viral or both may have triggered the development of BP.