Linear IgA bullous dermatosis of childhood: a long-term study.
BACKGROUND
Linear IgA bullous dermatosis (LAD) of childhood is a rare acquired subepidermal blistering disease of young children. Most of the studies were reported from the USA and European countries.


METHODS
Twelve cases of Thai patients diagnosed as LAD of childhood were analyzed concerning clinical, histopathological, immunopathological findings including treatment responses and courses compared with those of Caucasians.


RESULTS
The mean age of onset was 5.1 years. The areas of common involvement were the perioral region, lower abdomen, perineum, buttock, inner thighs and extremities. Histopathology in half of the cases showed features of dermatitis herpetiformis or bullous pemphigoid. All patients had positive linear IgA band at the basement membrane zone (BMZ) by direct immunofluorescence. Only one patient had positive circulating anti BMZ antibody at the titer of 1:10. Most patients responded well to dapsone. The mean duration before remission was 1.9 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study in Thai patients with LAD of childhood produced data similar to previous studies carried out in the Caucasian nations.
Kulthanan
K
K
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Akaraphanth
R
R
Piamphongsant
T
T
Kullavanijaya
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003622:Dapsone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012872:Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D013785:Thailand
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D003622:Dapsone