Dermatitis Herpetiformis ................................... It is an intensely pruritic, papulovesicular skin disease characterized by lesions symmetrically distributed over extensor surfaces ( elbows, knees, buttocks, back, scalp, and posterior neck). It affects male more than females in their third and fourth decade of life. It is associated with celiac disease and arise due to formation of antibodies against gliadin and reticulin. More than 90% of them express the HLA-B8/DRw3 and HLA-DQw2 haplotypes. Microscopically: clusters of neutrophils and fibrin are seen at the tips of dermal papillae. By immunofluorescence, these clusters at the tips of dermal papillae stain positive for IgA and subepidermal blisters are formed. Mainstay of treatment is dapsone.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Jun 2013 08:47:01 +0000