Iodide-Induced Immunofluorescence in Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Abstract

To Editor.— Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is an uncommon but curious dermatologic disease. Factors suggesting an immunologic basis for this disease include presence of gastric and thyroid autoantibodies, 1 an increased incidence of antireticulum antibodies, 2 and characteristic finding of deposits of IgA at dermal papillae or in a linear deposition at dermoepidermal junction. Another unique characteristic is noticeable sensitivity of DH to iodides. Epidermal patch testing with 20% potassium iodide has been reported to evoke a flare of disease. 3 Jablonska and Chorzelski have reported that the findings of immunofluorescence are as a rule positive in lesions provoked by iodine given systemically. 4 The reason for iodide sensitivity and its induction of positive immunofluorescence remains unclear and is difficult to correlate with evidence linking this disease with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. The purpose of this report is to describe a