[Acquired epidermolysis bullosa with Crohn's disease. Report of two cases and review of literature (author's transl)].
Two cases of acquired epidermolysis bullosa (A. E. B.) are reported in patients suffering from Crohn's disease. Microscopic examination showed in both cases a subepidermal blister with pieces of basal membrane among the roof of the blister. In the second case, linear deposits of IgG and C3 were observed by direct immunofluorescence at the dermoepidermal junction in the juxtalesional skin. No circulating antiepidermis antibody were found by indirect immunofluorescence in any of the two cases. Presence of immune complexes was evidenced. A review is presented of similar cases in the literature and of the frequence of the pathological associations. No peculiar feature of A. E. B. when associated to Crohn's disease was found: the course of the two diseases is independent; however, we did observe an improvement of skin lesions by the time of the intestinal remission in the first case. The pathogenesis of this association is still unclear. Autoimmune mechanism might possible play a role, but is still unknown.