Pityriasis rubra pilaris presenting with an abnormal autoimmune profile: Two case reports

Abstract

Introduction. Pityriasis rubra pilaris is an uncommon inflammatory and hyperproliferative dermatosis of juvenile or adult onset. The etiology of the disease is still unknown. Case presentation. We present the cases of two Caucasian men aged 53 and 48 who presented with pityriasis rubra pillaris type 1; both patients also exhibited an abnormal immunological profile. Conclusion. Pityriasis rubra pillaris is currently classified as a keratinization disorder. The abnormal immunological profile reported in our patients along with the comorbidity of pityriasis rubra pilaris with autoimmune disorders reported in the literature poses the question of a possible pathogenetic role for the immune response in this disorder. © 2009 Gregoriou et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.