Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita and Crohn's disease. A case report with immunological and electron microscopic studies.

A review of the literature shows that the association of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita and Crohn's disease is rare. A 27-year-old man developed cutaneous blisters on the trauma-prone areas that were consistent with the diagnosis of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. Immunological and electron-microscopic studies of the skin showed intense IgG deposits located beneath the basal lamina. Three years later, Crohn's colitis was diagnosed. Prednisolone and sulfasalazine treatment resulted in an improvement of the bowel disease but without appreciable effect on the skin lesions.