A 14-month-old child is taken to the clinic by her parents because she has foot sores. Since her first steps three months ago, she has suffered blisters on the soles of her feet, which eventually break down and heal slowly. The patient did not flourish as a newborn due to repeated mouth ulcerations, but he has otherwise been healthy and has met all of his developmental goals. Examining the soles reveals tiny bullae with slight erythema and no scarring. A biopsy conducted near the blister's edge reveals an intraepidermal cleavage plane. Which of the following factors is most likely to be involved in the etiology of this patient's condition?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Epidermolysis bullosa is a category of hereditary illnesses defined by epithelial fragility (bullae, erosions, ulcers) caused by slight trauma. Mutations in proteins in the intraepidermal and dermoepidermal adhesion complexes cause it; keratin mutations are responsible for the most prevalent variant (EB simplex).

A 14-Month-Old Child Is Taken to the Clinic by Her