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Childhood epidermolysis bullosa acquisita during squaric acid dibutyl ester immunotherapy for alopecia areata
Author(s) -
Guerra L.,
Pacifico V.,
Calabresi V.,
De Luca N.,
Castiglia D.,
Angelo C.,
Zambruno G.,
Di Zenzo G.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/bjd.14764
Subject(s) - epidermolysis bullosa acquisita , alopecia areata , medicine , dermatology , dapsone , autoantibody , discontinuation , immunology , surgery , antibody
Summary Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita ( EBA ) is a rare acquired subepidermal blistering disease associated with autoantibodies against type VII collagen. Although EBA manifests more frequently in adults, it can occur in childhood. We describe a 6‐year‐old boy who developed the inflammatory variant of EBA shortly after initiation of immunotherapy with squaric acid dibutyl ester ( SADBE ) for scalp alopecia areata. The disease rapidly regressed following SADBE discontinuation and starting combined steroid and dapsone therapy, and never recurred after treatment tapering and withdrawal. The association of EBA with other autoimmune diseases is common, but EBA occurring during alopecia areata has not been described previously. The development of EBA during SADBE treatment is also notable: the clinical history and therapeutic response in our patient point to a possible role of SADBE in EBA onset.