Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita

Dermatol Online J. 2007 Jan 27;13(1):15.

Abstract

A 29-year-old woman presented with 8 months of multiple vesicles, erosions, and milia on the dorsa of her hands and feet. Histopathologic examination demonstrated a subepidermal blister, with a paucity of eosinophils and a lack of blood vessel wall thickening or caterpillar bodies. A direct immunofluorescence test showed a linear deposit of IgG at the dermo-epidermal junction. These findings were consistent with a diagnosis of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. This case is a classic example of this rare blistering disease, in which patients produce autoantibodies to collagen VII, which is the major component of the anchoring fibrils.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Biopsy
  • Dapsone / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita* / drug therapy
  • Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita* / immunology
  • Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita* / pathology
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Foot
  • Hand
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / metabolism
  • Skin / metabolism
  • Skin / pathology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Dapsone