ABSTRACT

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita is a rare disorder. It is so named because of its similar appearance to genetic dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita is probably the rarest of the acquired immunob-ullous disorders seen in Caucasians, with an incidence of 0.25 per million per year. It appears to be more common in Blacks and Asians. Thus, the lesions tend to arise at sites of chronic trauma, e.g. the elbows, and the dorsa of the hands and feet. The blister is subepidermal. In the early stages there is little cellular infiltrate, but in the later stages there is heavy neutrophilic infiltration. Immunofluorescent studies show a linear band of immunoglobulin G and C3 complement along the line of the basement membrane. The blister is subepidermal. In the early stages there is little cellular infiltrate, but in the later stages there is heavy neutrophilic infiltration. Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita limited to the sites of trauma tends to be persistent.