ACRODERMATITIS ENTEROPATHICA SUCCESSFULLY TREATED WITH DIODOQUIN

[摘要] A second case of acrodermatitis enteropathica is reported in which diodoquin was of great benefit. Two other such cases are known to have responded similarly to the drug. Differential diagnosis and possible etiologic factors are discussed. Giardiasis and possible relation to epidermolysis bullosa are considered. The occurrence of the syndrome in siblings in 8 cases and consanguinity of the parents in 4 cases indicates strongly that acrodermatitis enteropathica is a hereditary condition of a metabolic and gastrointestinal disturbance leading to the syndrome. So far, the nature of the gastrointestinal dysfunction in acrodermatitis enteropathica and the mechanism of the curative effect of diodoquin are not understood. In future cases attention has to be given to possible giardiasis, fibrosis of the pancreas, the hereditary aspect, and search for the exact nature of the gastro-intestinal dysfunction and possible metabolic disturbance associated with it.