Previously misdiagnosed linear IgA dermatosis resolved with dapsone.

Abstract

This is the case of a 25-year-old African American woman with a 3-week history of itching with burning, blistering lesions on her torso and extremities. Medical history was unremarkable. Medical treatments included three visits to urgent care, where she was treated with antivirals, oral and topical steroids, antibiotics and antifungals unsuccessfully. We performed a skin biopsy, and immunoflorescent studies revealed a linear deposition of IgA antigen at the basement membrane. The clinical diagnosis of linear IgA dermatosis (LAD) was established, with no eliciting cause, other than potential occupational exposure to Chlamydophila psittaci via her employment in a pet store. This is the first case to our knowledge to report such an association. However, confirmation of the exposure would only establish correlation, not causality. Resolution of symptoms and blisters was achieved with dapsone treatment. Accordingly, we highlight the crucial importance of reviewing exposures, along with the potential aetiology of LAD.

• Authors: Vinicius Tieppo Francio, Chris Towery, Saeid Davani, Travis Allen, Tony L Brown
• Journal: BMJ case reports (BMJ Case Rep) Vol. 2018 (Apr 25 2018) ISSN: 1757-790X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 29695389 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd (unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Chemical References

• Anti-Infective Agents
• Immunoglobulin A
• Dapsone

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Adult
• Anti-Infective Agents (administration & dosage)
• Biopsy
• Blister (etiology)
• Dapsone (administration & dosage)
• Diagnostic Errors
• Female
• Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin A (analysis)
• Linear IgA Bullous Dermatosis (diagnosis, drug therapy, pathology)