Inflammatory vitiligo in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2001 Jan;44(1):129-31. doi: 10.1067/mjd.2001.110879.

Abstract

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease is a rare disease characterized by uveitis, meningitis, dysacusis, alopecia, poliosis, and vitiligo. We describe a 48-year-old patient with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease associated with thin inflammatory raised erythema and plaque-type inflammatory erythema superimposed on vitiligo. Interestingly, inflammatory raised erythema was separated from the perfect vitiligo, and the incomplete vitiligo lay between them initially. Thereafter, incomplete vitiligo became completely depigmented with diminution of inflammatory raised erythema. This is the second case of vitiligo with inflammatory raised borders associated with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease. Our results of immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies suggested the involvement of T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity and apoptosis in the development of skin lesions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome / pathology*
  • Vitiligo / pathology*