[Antidesmoglein antibodies in a patient with Hailey-Hailey disease].

BACKGROUND

Hailey-Hailey disease (HHD) is a rare hereditary disease in which the genetic defect is characterized by mutation in the ATP2C1 gene coding for a transmembrane calcium pump. It is generally considered a non-immunologic acantholytic dermatosis in which direct and indirect immunofluorescence studies are negative, unlike in autoimmune pemphigus.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

We describe a case of HHD associated with antidesmoglein antibodies in a 53-year-old woman. The clinical symptoms and histology were typical of HHD. Antidesmoglein antibody tests were positive on several occasions and a difference was found between the two types of Elisa test performed (positive with the MBL kit, negative with the Euroimmun kit).

DISCUSSION: The positive result for desmoglein antibodies could be due to unmasking of antigens by the mechanism of acantholysis. The specificity of the main desmoglein Elisa tests also requires discussion.