Basic research confirms coexistence of acquired Blaschkolinear Vitiligo and acrofacial Vitiligo

Abstract

We report about a female patient with bilateral and unilateral blaschkolinear depigmentation on the extremities and coexistence of acrofacial vitiligo, who initially presented her first signs of depigmentation at the age of 32 years. The patient was otherwise healthy. The correct diagnosis was based on the latest up to date technology utilizing in vivo FT-Raman and Fluorescence spectroscopy, Wood's light examination of the depigmented skin and immunoreactivity of epidermal catalase expression in 3 mm punch biopsies from the linear depigmented area. The results yielded decreased catalase protein expression compared to healthy controls as well as complete absence of melanocytes. FT-Raman spectroscopy identified the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) in the mM range and Fluorescence spectroscopy demonstrated H(2)O(2)-mediated oxidation of tryptophan residues in the depigmented area. The results were in agreement with vitiligo. Repigmentation of the linear lesion was initiated after reduction/removal of epidermal H(2)O(2) with pseudocatalase PC-KUS further supporting the correct diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge this is the first case documented with vitiligo following Blaschko lines in coexistence with classical acrofacial vitiligo. This observation raises the question whether besides H(2)O(2)-mediated stress in association with genomic mosaicism could play a role in some cases with vitiligo.