Monthly rifampicin, ofloxacin, and minocycline therapy for generalized and localized granuloma annulare

INTRODUCTION

Localized granuloma annulare is usually a self-limiting dermatosis resolving within 2 years. Generalized granuloma annulare which most frequently affects women older than 40 years, presents as multiple 1-2 mm skin colored papules involving the trunk, neck, forearms, legs, and extensor surface of elbows. It differs from the localized form by a later age of onset, protracted course with only rare spontaneous resolutions, an increased incidence of diabetes mellitus and a poor response to therapy. ^[1] An increased prevalence of HLA Bw35 has been seen in this form of the disease. ^[2] Treatment options for granuloma annulare include topical and systemic steroids, psoralen ultraviolet-A, isotretinoin, dapsone, pentoxifylline, hydroxychloroquine, cyclosporine, interferon gamma, chlorambucil, potassium iodide, nicotinamide, niacinamide, salicylates, chlorpropamide, thyroxine, dipyridamole, methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy, fumaric esters, etanerept, infliximab, adalimumab, and efalizumab. ^[3] We report six cases of biopsy proven granuloma annulare who were treated with pulses of monthly rifampicin, ofloxacin, and minocycline (ROM) therapy.

Methods

A prospective study was carried out in the department of dermatology at Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt, India in which patients presenting with granuloma annulare (both generalized and localized form) from October 2011 to March 2013 were recruited. The study included both fresh cases as well as those not responding adequately to conventional modalities of treatment. Presence of comorbid conditions was noted. The diagnosis of granuloma annulare was confirmed histopathologically in all the patients, who were then treated with once monthly single dose of rifampicin 600 mg, ofloxacin 400 mg, and minocycline hydrochloride 100 mg till complete resolution of all lesions. Results were analyzed in terms of complete resolution of lesions and side effects. Patients were followed up for at least 6 months. Approval from ethical committee of our hospital was taken for the study.

Results

Between October 2011 and March 2013, a total of six patients with granuloma annulare were seen in the outpatient department, five with generalized and one with the localized form, all of whom were recruited to the study. The details of all the patients are mentioned in [Table - 1].

Table 1: Details of patients with granuloma annulare

The diagnosis of granuloma annulare was confirmed histopathologically in all the patients. Special stains for mucin and acid fast bacilli were not done. Work-up did not reveal any evidence of malignancies or infection. All the patients responded well to ROM therapy with resolution of their lesions. Patients tolerated the treatment well with no side effects.

DISCUSSION

We had earlier ^[4] reported on the efficacy of ROM therapy in a single case of generalized granuloma annulare, with Type II diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis, who responded to five pulses of monthly ROM. ^[4] An extensive literature search threw up only one other study of monthly ROM used for this condition ^.[5] Marcus et al. reported six patients with granuloma annulare refractory to different kinds of treatment with hydrocortisone 1%, pimecrolimus, desoximetasone, mometasone furoate, clarithromycin, tacrolimus, fluticasone propionate, intralesional triamcinolone acetonide 40 mg/mL, liquid nitrogen, excimer laser, and topical triamcinolone 0.1%. The patients were treated with monthly ROM for 3 months. Three to five months after the initiation of treatment, the plaques cleared completely.

The rationale for using monthly ROM therapy for treating granuloma annulare is based on the clinical and histopathological similarities between this problem and paucibacillary leprosy, as well as their response to dapsone and prolonged antibiotic use. ^[6],[7],[8] Other antimicrobial agents have also been used for the treatment of granuloma annulare, postulating an infectious aetiology. ^[3]

Rifampicin has antimicrobial activity, and can influence antibody formation and cellular immune response, specifically delayed-type hypersensitivity. ^[6] Ofloxacin interferes with protein synthesis, inflammation, immunomodulation, cell proliferation, and angiogenesis, even in subantibiotic concentrations. ^[7] Minocycline reduces collagenase activity, interferes with lymphocyte proliferation, especially T cells, and has an anti-inflammatory effect. ^[8]

Our first patient [Figure - 1], a known case of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, and osteoarthritis on regular treatment, presented with generalized granuloma annulare, which was confirmed histopathologically. Owing to the lack of response with prolonged oral steroid pulse therapy along with topical superpotent steroids, and the generalized nature of the lesions, she was treated with monthly ROM therapy for 4 months, to which she responded well, with complete clearance of lesions and without experiencing any side effects. Of special interest was her lack of response to antitubercular therapy, which entailed daily ingestion of rifampicin, in contrast to complete clearance of lesions with ROM pulses for 4 months. A possible explanation for this could be that only the combination (ROM) is efficacious, and not rifampicin alone.

Figure 1: (a) Discrete papular lesions of GGA involving the upper back (b) Hyperpigmented papules, plaques, and serpiginous lesions present on the dorsum of right hand (c) Complete resolution of lesions involving the upper back (d) Resolution of lesion on hand with PIH and atrophy

Our second [Figure - 2] and third case [Figure - 3] had generalized and localized granuloma annulare respectively, and were recalcitrant to topical superpotent steroids but responded completely to 8 monthly pulses of ROM. The fourth [Figure - 4] and fifth case [Figure - 5] of generalized granuloma annulare, both of whom responded to 5-8 pulses of monthly ROM.

Figure 2: (a) Discrete skin colored papule on the extensor surface of forearms (b) Resolution of lesions after ROM therapy (c) Granulomas with giant cells in the dermis (H and E, ×10) (d) Repeat histopathological examination after the resolution of lesion with monthly pulses of ROM therapy shows hyperkeratotic epidermis with sparse lympho-mononuclear cell infiltrate in the dermis Granulomas are absent (H and E, ×10)

Figure 3: (a) Multiple skin colored to erythematous papules coalescing to form an annular plaque on forearm (b) Multiple skin colored papules and plaques on arm (c) Resolution of lesions on forearm and arm

Figure 4: (a) Multiple papules on dorsum of hand (b) Resolution of lesions with few lesions healing with atrophy

Figure 5: (a) Annular plaques present on dorsum of both hands (b) Erythematous papules and serpiginous plaques on forearm and arm (c) Resolution of lesions on dorsum of hands after 6 monthly pulses of ROM (d) Resolution of lesions after 6 monthly pulses of ROM

In this study, all the patients had complete clearance of lesions with a maximum of eight pulses of monthly ROM with no recurrence in the follow-up period. None of the drugs that the patients were taking for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, or osteoarthritis was known to cause granuloma annulare.

Though granuloma annulare is known to resolve spontaneously, the generalized form usually runs a protracted course, with only rare spontaneous resolution. However, the consistency of response in all the six patients in this study, and a lack of recurrence during the follow-up period of 9-18 months seems to indicates a role of monthly ROM in the treatment of granuloma annulare.

The association of granuloma annulare with several comorbid conditions like Type 1 ^[9] and Type 2 diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, malignancy, and dyslipidemias ^[10] has been observed. In our study also, all our patients had associated co-morbidities with three having more than one.

CONCLUSION

ROM pulses appears to be a highly effective, simple, non-invasive, less costly, and safe alternative in treating both forms of granuloma annulare. The association of multiple co-morbid conditions in all our patients reaffirms the need for a thorough screening for their detection. In view of the small sample size, ROM pulse therapy requires validation with studies involving larger numbers of patients.