Absence of cutaneous IgA in coeliac disease without dermatitis herpetiformis

Abstract
Skin biopsies from 17 patients with celiac disease, but without dermatitis herpetiformis, were examined by direct immunofluorescence. In none of them was Ig[immunoglobulin]A detectable. IgA was present in dermal papillae and/or in relation to the dermo-epidermal junction in 80 of 83 patients with dermatitis herpetiformis. Cutaneous deposition of IgA at these sites is a very characteristic feature of dermatitis herpetiformis and is unrelated to celiac disease itself.