Immunofluorescence Findings in Juvenile Bullous Disease

Abstract

To the Editor.— We read with interest the case of Prystowsky and Gilliam (Archives 112:837-838,1976) and their finding of a linear band of IgA and C3 immunofluorescence (IF) along the basement membrane. We have reported a similar case¹ that corresponds clinically to the IF negative benign chronic bullous disease of childhood.² For two years, a 6-year-old girl had recurrent crops of large, tense, nonitchy bullae predominantly about the mouth and vulva that were of decreasing severity. The condition responded only partially to acediasulfon sodium (sulfon) therapy. We found on direct IF of peribullous and normal skin "continous" IgA but not C3 along the basement membrane as described in some cases of adult dermatitis herpetiformis.³ No circulating basement membrane or reticulin antibody was detected. A jejunal biopsy specimen did not show evidence of coeliac disease as found in true dermatitis herpetiformis.⁴ It has been suggested⁵ that