Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is an uncommon autoimmune disease of the basal cell layer of the skin. It occurs in humans and cats, more frequently occurring in dogs. It does not progress to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in dogs. SLE can also have skin symptoms, but it appears that the two are either separate diseases or DLE is a mild form of SLE. DLE in dogs differs from SLE in humans in that plasma cells predominate histologically instead of T lymphocytes. Because worsening of symptoms occurs with increased ultraviolet light exposure, sun exposure most likely plays a role in DLE, although certain breeds are predisposed. After pemphigus foliaceus, DLE is the second most common autoimmune skin disease in dogs.
Desquamative gingivitis is an erythematous (red), desquamatous (shedding) and ulcerated appearance of the gums. It is a descriptive term and can be caused by several different disorders.
Tumid lupus erythematosus is a rare, but distinctive entity in which patients present with edematous erythematous plaques, usually on the trunk.
Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus is a clinically distinct subset of cases of lupus erythematosus that is most often present in white women aged 15 to 40, consisting of skin lesions that are scaly and evolve as polycyclic annular lesions or plaques similar to those of plaque psoriasis.
Lupus erythematosus panniculitis presents with subcutaneous nodules that are commonly firm, sharply defined and nontender.
IgA pemphigus is a subtype of pemphigus with two distinct forms:
Pemphigus herpetiformis is a cutaneous condition, a clinical variant of pemphigus that combines the clinical features of dermatitis herpetiformis with the immunopathologic features of pemphigus.
