Ligneous (Pseudomembranous) Inflammation Involving the Female Genital Tract Associated with Type-1 Plasminogen Deficiency

Ligneous (pseudomembranous) inflammation of the female genital tract is a rare and unusual condition characterized by extensive subepithelial fibrin deposition and associated inflammation. Ligneous inflammation in extragenital sites, predominantly the conjunctiva, has been linked to plasminogen deficiency. Individuals with plasminogen deficiency are unable to remove fibrin deposited in injured mucosal tissue. Severe systemic ligneous inflammation involving the female genital tract that is linked to hypoplasminogenemia has not previously been described. We present a patient with ligneous inflammation of her genital, middle ear, and oral mucosa that was associated with type-1 homozygous plasminogen deficiency due to a novel missense mutation in the plasminogen gene.