title: Childhood linear IgA bullous dermatosis in Tunisia.
abstract: The objective was to determine the demographic characteristics, the clinical features, the immuno-histological findings and response to treatment of childhood linear IgA bullous dermatosis (LABD) in Tunisia. We collected all the cases of auto-immune bullous diseases of childhood, diagnosed from January 1987 to December 2006. Based on clinical, histological, and immunofluorescent features, we identified 25 cases of LABD. Sixteen male and nine female children with a mean age of 7.5 years were identified. Clinical manifestations were characterized by a vesiculo-bullous eruption in all cases associated with mucous membrane involvement in two cases. Dapsone was the main therapy in 19 cases, associated with systemic corticosteroids in eight cases. Exclusive antibiotic therapy was successful in five cases. Sixteen of those patients had resolution of disease after a mean period of 15 months and eight patients had severe clinical presentation and required a prolonged follow-up. Childhood LABD is the most frequent bullous dermatosis in Tunisia. The majority of our patients responded rapidly to dapsone treatment and were stabilized for long time. Our cases were characterized by a minimal mucosal involvement and favorable outcome. Treatment with antibiotherapy was interesting. Erythromycin and oxacillin may be considered as an alternative therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse University, Sousse, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Nesrine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kenani
authors.forename: Amel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mebazaa
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Denguezli
authors.forename: Najet
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ghariani
authors.forename: Badreddine
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sriha
authors.forename: Colandane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Belajouza
authors.forename: Rafia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nouira
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003622:Dapsone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D012872:Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D003622:Dapsone