Dermatitis herpetiformis: the skin and the gut.
Published
Journal Article
Dermatitis herpetiformis is an intensely itchy, chronic, papulovesicular eruption that is usually symmetrically distributed on extensor surfaces. Histologically, it is characterized by dermal papillary collections of neutrophils and subepidermal vesicle formation. The skin has IgA deposits in areas corresponding to the earliest histopathologic change; that is, at the epidermal-dermal junction. Most patients have an associated asymptomatic gluten-sensitive enteropathy that mimics ordinary gluten-sensitive enteropathy (celiac disease) both morphologically and in its response to gluten protein. There is a marked increase in the prevalence of the major histocompatibility antigens, HLA-B8 and HLA-Dw3, and in certain B cell antigens in these patients. Although the sulfones or sulfapyridine have been the mainstay of treatment, it is now clear that the skin disease responds to strict adherence to a gluten-free diet. These findings are reviewed and from them are drawn certain conclusions as to possible pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in dermatitis herpetiformis.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Katz, SI; Hall, RP; Lawley, TJ; Strober, W
Published Date
- December 1, 1980
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 93 / 6
Start / End Page
- 857 - 874
PubMed ID
- 7447195
Pubmed Central ID
- 7447195
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0003-4819
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.7326/0003-4819-93-6-857
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States