Immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked syndrome (IPEX) associated with pemphigoid nodularis: A case report and review of the literature

The immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked syndrome (IPEX) is a rare disorder caused by mutations of the FOXP3 gene. The FOXP3 gene encodes a DNA-binding protein of the forkhead/winged-helix family and is the central controller of the development of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells. CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells help prevent autoimmune disease; a deficiency of these cells causes increased immunologic reactivity and autoimmunity. We describe a 14-year-old boy with IPEX syndrome confirmed by mutation analysis of the FOXP3 gene. The patient had chronic dermatitis and later developed bullous pemphigoid. He subsequently formed diffuse prurigo nodularis–like lesions resistant to multiple topical and systemic immunosuppressive medications. These lesions were confirmed by biopsy, direct immunofluorescence, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of the 180 kd bullous pemphigoid antigen to be pemphigoid nodularis. He recently responded to rituximab, allowing discontinuation of his oral prednisone.