The potassium iodide patch test in dermatitis herpetiformis in relation to treatment with a gluten-free diet and dapsone

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The KI patch test was studied in 26 patients with dermatitis herpetiformis. Histological assessment was found more sensitive than clinical. All of 5 patients with active disease and not on treatment had a positive test, whereas only 2 of 6 patients taking a gluten-free diet (GFD) and 1 of 8 taking dapsone were positive. In another 2 patients taking a GFD, but in whom the diet had not been strict, the test was positive. All 3 patients in remission and both patients with the linear pattern of IgA (but with active disease) were negative. Immunofluorescence studies showed no difference in the presence, quantity, or distribution of Ig, complement or fibrinogen between the patch test site and uninvolved skin, or in the uninvolved skin between patients with and without active lesions.