Idiopathic linear IgA bullous dermatosis treated with prednisone

BMJ Case Rep. 2021 May 12;14(5):e242237. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2021-242237.

Abstract

We present a case of a 43-year-old man with a medical history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation that presented with acute onset generalised vesiculobullous rash of 1-week duration. The rash was initially noticed on his groin and then spread to his hands, feet and mucosal surfaces. Laboratory tests were unremarkable, including an extensive infection aetiology work-up. Punch biopsies were obtained of a fresh lesion and were stained with H&E and sent for direct immunofluorescence. Light microscopy and immunofluorescence study demonstrated a subepidermal blister with predominant neutrophilic infiltrates and a linear band of IgA at the dermoepidermal junction, respectively. The patient was diagnosed with linear IgA bullous dermatosis and was subsequently treated with 0.5 mg/kg of prednisone daily following previous case reports. At 1-week follow-up as an outpatient, the bullae became crusted, and the rash was nearly completely regressed.

Keywords: dermatology; drug interactions; immunology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Linear IgA Bullous Dermatosis* / diagnosis
  • Linear IgA Bullous Dermatosis* / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous* / diagnosis
  • Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Prednisone