Gluten challenge induces skin and small bowel relapse in long-term gluten-free diet-treated dermatitis herpetiformis

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is an extra-intestinal manifestation of coeliac disease causing an itchy, blistering rash. Skin IgA deposits are pathognomonic for DH, and the treatment of choice is a life-long gluten-free diet (GFD). Preliminary evidence suggests that there are DH patients who redevelop gluten tolerance after adherence to a GFD treatment. To examine this, we performed a 12-month gluten challenge with skin and small bowel mucosal biopsies in 19 DH patients who had adhered to a GFD for a mean of 23 years.

Source: Journal of Investigative Dermatology - April 14, 2019 Category: Dermatology Authors: E. Mansikka, K. Hervonen, K. Kaukinen, T. Ilus, P. Oksanen, K. Lindfors, K. Laurila, M. Hietikko, J. Taavela, J. Jernman, P. Saavalainen, T. Reunala, T. Salmi Tags: Original Article Source Type: research