Bullous eruption: A manifestation of lupus erythematosus

Bullous lupus erythematosus (BSLE) is a rare subset of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), often associated with autoimmunity to type VII collagen. Generally, patients with BSLE meet the criteria for SLE as defined by the American College of Rheumatology. We present a case of a 17-year-old adolescent girl who presented with a vesiculobullous eruption without detectable type VII collagen antibodies and without full criteria for SLE. Differential staining was characteristic for lupus erythematosus (LE), suggesting her eruption is related to LE. We review the spectrum of bullous disease in patients with LE and discuss the pathogenesis and histology of these eruptions, as well as current therapeutic options.