Case report: Infantile generalized pustular psoriasis with IL36RN and CARD14 gene mutations

Abstract

Infantile pustular psoriasis (IPP) is an extremely rare skin disease associated with genetic factors. Gene mutations of IL36RN (interleukin-36 receptor antagonist), CARD14 (caspase recruitment family member 14), and AP1S1 (the σ1C subunit of the adaptor protein complex 1) had been identified to be involved in the pathogenesis of IPP. IPP usually develops with no preceding psoriasis vulgaris (PV) or familial history. Here, we report a case of a 6-month-old infant and make the diagnosis of IPP by a series of examinations; subsequently, by detecting coexistent mutations of IL36RN and CARD14, the diagnosis is intensified from a genetic point of view. We treated the child with traditional oral and topical drugs regardless of the commonly used acitretin considering its potential side effects, such as skeletal toxicity, and the lesions got conspicuous improvement with much reduction of inflammation. Owing to the genetic mutation of IL-36, there had been reported cases focusing on anti-IL36 biological agents in the treatment of IPP, and it could be a new weapon to treat and improve such IL-36RN-deficient skin diseases.