ACANTHOLYSIS: A FEATURE OF ACRODERMATITIS ENTEROPATHICA

Abstract

<h3>To the Editor.—</h3> Acrodermatitis enteropathica is an uncommon disorder characterized by diarrhea, alopecia, and a distinguishing skin eruption. The skin involvement is mainly that of crops of bullae and pustules appearing around the body orifices and over the extremities.¹Paronychia, verrucose lesions, and candidiasis may be encountered.²It is sometimes familial, probably transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait.³The histopathologic findings have usually been reported as nonspecific.^2,3Recently we have had the opportunity of examining a patient with acrodermatitis enteropathica and have found acantholysis in the skin lesions. Because of the rarity of reports on this findings, we thought it of interest to communicate this in more detail. <h3>Report of a Case</h3> A 9-month-old girl was seen at the emergency ward of the American University Hospital for a skin condition of about two months' duration. The onset, as described by the mother, was characterized by the