[Genodermatosis in a pair of brothers: Dowling-Degos, Grover, Darier, Hailey-Hailey or Galli-Galli disease?]

Abstract

A peculiar polymorphous eruption in two brothers is reported. Histological examination of hyperpigmented macular lesions on the face and neck revealed all diagnostic features of the Dowling-Degos disease. With the electron microscope, singly dispersed melanosomes could be demonstrated in the basal keratinocytes. In biopsies from the erythematosquamous pruriginous lesions in the flexural areas, on the trunk and extremities, acantholysis, formation of lacunae, and some corps ronds were the predominant histological findings. Reduction of desmosomes, separation of desmosomes and tonofilaments, as well as thickened collagen-like tonofilaments could be shown. Not infrequently within a single lesion, all the features compatible with Dowling-Degos, Hailey-Hailey, Darier, and Grover disease were present. Pending further investigations and observation of patients with similar findings we propose with the consent of the patients, the term "Galli-Galli" disease as preliminary designation of this genodermatosis.