[Erythema annulare centrifugum revealing linear IgA dermatitis of childhood]

Linear IgA dermatitis was diagnosed in a 13-year old girl with erythema annulare centrifugum (EAC) on the basis of the criteria laid down by Jablonska: vesiculo-bullous eruption with specific patterns on subsequent flare-ups, subepidermal vesicles and bullae with papillary eosinophilic abscesses in erythematous areas, positive linear IgA antibody response at direct immunofluorescence in the lamina basal, absence of intolerance to gluten and responsiveness to sulfapyridine and dapsone. This patient was followed up for 10 years. During the first 5 years any attempt at withdrawing dapsone resulted in quick relapse which always remained responsive to that drug. After 5 years discontinuing dapsone was no longer followed by relapse, and the girl was considered clinically cured. Yet direct immunofluorescence in healthy skin remained positive for 2 years after treatment was stopped, as has previously been reported. At the age of 23, after 5 years without treatment the patient remained cured. This case demonstrates that linear IgA dermatitis is one of the causes of EAC. Autoimmune bullous diseases, such as pemphigus with eosinophilic spongiosis, bullous pemphigoid and dermatitis herpetiformis, are known to present as EAC. Direct cutaneous immunofluorescence is necessary to the aetiological diagnosis of EAC.