Case Report

A Case of Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita Triggered with Heavy Boots in Military Service

  • Aylin Türel Ermertcan
  • Serap Öztürkcan
  • Turhan Şahin
  • Nurgül Kapulu
  • Sevinç İnan
  • Peyker Temiz

J Turk Acad Dermatol 2009;3(2):0-0

Observations:

Epidermolysis bullosa is a group of rare disorders which have in common the formation of blisters on minor physical injury, which are manifested in a variety of forms. It usually starts in childhood, but onset may be delayed until adult life.

A 20-year-old man with the complaint of blisters on his legs and arms since infantile period applied to our outpatient clinic. He expressed that his lesions exacerbated with heavy boots and shoes in military service. After taking a skin biopsy from the blisters histopathological, direct immunofluorescence and electron microscopic examinations were performed. Histopathologically, subepidermal blister formation, especially composed of lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and inflammatory infiltration with perivascular edema in superficial dermis were observed. In addition to this, direct immunofluorescence examination revealed deposition of Ig G, Ig M, Ig A and C3 on the floor of the blister. In electron microscopic examination, epidermis was found to be normal and there was epidermodermal separation. According to the clinical, histopathological, direct immunofluorescence and electron microscopic findings, the diagnosis was performed as epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.

Keywords: Epidermolysis bullosa, trauma, shoes