title: Dermatitis herpetiformis.
abstract: Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is an autoimmune, pleiomorphic, papulovesicular disorder associated with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. DH is characterized by subepidermal bullae on hematoxylin and eosin staining and granular immunoglobulin A deposits in the dermal papillae using the direct immunofluorescence method. Antibodies to tissue transglutaminase and epidermal transgulatminase can be measured serologically, although biopsy is still required for definitive diagnosis of DH. Gluten free diet (GFD) is the first-line therapeutic approach that can alleviate both cutaneous and intestinal manifestations of this condition, while dapsone and sulfones target the skin eruption only. Combined therapy with GFD and dapsone is an initial treatment of choice to control the cutaneous manifestations of DH. This article will provide a comprehensive review of DH, including its epidemiology, clinical and pathological findings, diagnostic evaluation, and management.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Plotnikova
authors.forename: Jami L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003622:Dapsone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003874:Dermatitis Herpetiformis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D055050:Diet, Gluten-Free; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D006801:Humans; D007917:Leprostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013450:Sulfones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007917:Leprostatic Agents; D013450:Sulfones; D003622:Dapsone; D011503:Transglutaminases