Linear IgA disease and chronic active hepatitis--a coincidence or not?

Linear IgA disease (granular type) associated with chronic active hepatitis in a sixteen-year-old male patient is described. The diagnosis was established by clinical and histopathological findings supported by immunofluorescence studies. The immunofluorescence pattern (granular IgA deposits along the basement membrane, more pronounced at tips of papillae) showed much transition in dermatitis herpetiformis and also to a lesser extent in pemphigoid (linear IgG and IgM deposits along the basement membrane). Chronic active hepatitis as linear IgA disease are significantly correlated with HLA B8. This is the first report of the association of linear IgA disease and chronic active hepatitis.