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>From Karoly Horvath, MD at University of Maryland's celiac clinic:
 
Date: 07/09/96 09:07:49 AM
Subject: Re: DH diagnosis
 
 
If the skin symptoms suggest DH, the diagnosis is based on two tests:
 
1. Skin biopsy: immunofluorescent staining - linear deposits of IgA.
 
2. Serology test: positive antiendomysium antibody test.
 
As a compromise: the positive serology and the typical skin symptoms
are enough for a clinical diagnosis. However, I think most of the
dermatologist consider the biopsy as "gold standard" for the diagnosis.
 
It seems that dermatologist needs some education regarding the DH diagnosis
("gluten-sensitive dermatopathy"; this is only my terminology)
 
 
Karoly Horvath