苔藓样糠疹的病因尚不明确。 最主要的一种病因假设认为,苔藓样糠疹是遗传性易感机体对外来因素的非典型免疫反应。[1]Khachemoune A, Blyumin ML. Pityriasis lichenoides: pathophysiology, classification, and treatment review. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2007;8(1):29-36.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17298104?tool=bestpractice.com 多种传染性病原菌被认为与苔藓样糠疹有关,包括人类免疫缺陷病毒、水痘带状疱疹病毒、EB 病毒、巨细胞病毒、细小病毒 B19、腺病毒、葡萄球菌、链球菌、支原体、弓形体和丙型肝炎。[1]Khachemoune A, Blyumin ML. Pityriasis lichenoides: pathophysiology, classification, and treatment review. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2007;8(1):29-36.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17298104?tool=bestpractice.com 此外,使用药物,例如替加氟、雌激素-黄体酮、阿司咪唑、汉方药(日本汉方药)、放射性碘、[6]Jowkar F, Namazi MR, Bahmani M, et al. Triggering of pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta by radiocontrast iodide. J Dermatolog Treat. 2008;19(4):249-50.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18608711?tool=bestpractice.com 3-羟基 4-甲基戊二酰辅酶 A 还原酶抑制剂[7]Massay RJ, Maynard AA. Pityriasis lichenoides chronica associated with use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. West Indian Med J. 2012 Oct;61(7):743-5.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23620974?tool=bestpractice.com 和麻疹疫苗等,也可导致苔藓样糠疹。[1]Khachemoune A, Blyumin ML. Pityriasis lichenoides: pathophysiology, classification, and treatment review. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2007;8(1):29-36.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17298104?tool=bestpractice.com 另外,有报道指出苔藓样糠疹是一种免疫复合物或细胞介导的超敏反应。[3]Blyumin ML, Khachemoune A. What caused these excoriated papules? Diagnosis: pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA). Skin and Aging. 2004;12:99-102.[4]Bowers S, Warshaw EM. Pityriasis lichenoides and its subtypes. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006 Oct;55(4):557-72;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17010734?tool=bestpractice.com 一些苔藓样糠疹患者血清免疫复合物的含量升高,在皮肤病变的交界处有免疫球蛋白 M 和 C3 沉积。[8]Clayton R, Haffenden G. An immunofluorescence study of pityriasis lichenoides. Br J Dermatol. 1978 Nov;99(5):491-3.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/361062?tool=bestpractice.com 同时,对苔藓样糠疹病变的其他免疫病理学研究发现细胞毒性 T 细胞在真皮中增生,并上移至表皮,朗格汉斯细胞数量减少,这与细胞介导的反应相关。[9]Muhlbauer JE, Bhan AK, Harrist TJ, et al. Immunopathology of pityriasis lichenoides acuta. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1984 May;10(5 Pt 1):783-95.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6373855?tool=bestpractice.com
第二个主要的病因假设认为苔藓样糠疹是一种由于皮肤淋巴细胞单克隆性增生导致的 T 细胞淋巴组织增殖性病变。[10]Dereure O, Levi E, Kadin ME. T-cell clonality in pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta: a heteroduplex analysis of 20 cases. Arch Dermatol. 2000 Dec;136(12):1483-6.http://archderm.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/136/12/1483http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11115158?tool=bestpractice.com 此外,有证据表明,苔藓样糠疹的三种类型极少转化为皮肤淋巴瘤,这更支持非典型性淋巴细胞增殖这一病因假设。[1]Khachemoune A, Blyumin ML. Pityriasis lichenoides: pathophysiology, classification, and treatment review. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2007;8(1):29-36.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17298104?tool=bestpractice.com