Diagnosis and clinical features of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is a rare autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease characterized by immune deposits on anchoring fibrils of cutaneous and mucosal basement membrane zones. It is due to circulating antibodies directed to type VII collagen. Clinical manifestations include a classical form with skin fragility, blisters and scars on trauma-prone surfaces, an inflammatory form, and a cicatricial pemphigoid-like form. Specialized tests available in only certain laboratories are necessary to confirm a diagnosis of EBA, such as immunoelectron microscopy, immunoblotting, or ELISA using recombinant proteins. A frequent association between EBA and Crohn disease has been observed.