Deficiency of interleukin-36 receptor antagonist (DITRA): An analysis of 58 Chinese patients in a tertiary hospital in Taiwan

Exp Dermatol. 2023 Aug;32(8):1272-1278. doi: 10.1111/exd.14783. Epub 2023 Mar 7.

Abstract

DITRA, acronym for deficiency of interleukin-36 receptor antagonist (IL36RN), leads to unopposed pro-inflammatory signalling which typically manifests as pustular psoriasis. In Asian patients, c.115 + 6 T > C mutation is the most common and important single-nucleotide variant in DITRA. We present the largest case series consisting of 58 DITRA patients carrying heterozygous or homozygous c.115 + 6 T > C mutation. The mean age of onset (±SD) was 20.74 (±20.86), and the median age of onset was 13 years old. Twelve patients (20.7%) had disease onset before the age of two. Twenty-two patients (37.9%) had disease onset between the ages of 2-18. Main clinical phenotype was generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) with systemic symptoms (33 patients, 56.9%), followed by acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau (ACH) (16 patients, 27.6%). Nearly half of our patients (27 patients, 46.6%) ever had ACH, and only three of them are free of ACH currently, which indicates that the development of ACH is relatively persistent and irreversible. Thirty-four patients (58.6%) had recurrent GPP and 29 patients (50%) have been admitted due to GPP flare. Compared to those with heterozygous (C/T) mutation, more patients carrying homozygous mutation (C/C) have recurrent episodes of GPP (C/T vs. C/C: 25.53 vs. 76.47%, p = 0.0367). Two patients with squamous cell carcinomas arising from the pustular psoriasis skin lesions were noted. Two patients had elevated serum IgG4 levels.

Keywords: acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau; deficiency of interleukin-36 receptor antagonist (DITRA) generalized pustular; psoriasis.

MeSH terms

  • East Asian People
  • Exanthema*
  • Humans
  • Interleukins* / genetics
  • Psoriasis* / genetics
  • Psoriasis* / pathology
  • Taiwan
  • Tertiary Care Centers

Substances

  • IL36RN protein, human
  • Interleukins