Vitiligo and polyglandular autoimmune disease with autoantibodies to melanin-producing cells. A new syndrome?

Recently three patients with vitiligo, candidiasis, hypoparathyroidism, hypoadrenalism, and other associated autoimmune diseases had been described as having autoantibodies to melanin-producing cells. 1,2 Another patient who had similar characteristics is described herein. Report of a Case An 8-year-old boy had had hypoparathyroidism and vitiligo since the age of 3 years. Calcium gluconate and dihydrotachysterol therapy had been given for the hypoparathyroidism. He had had oral and nailbed candidiasis since the age of 4 years and phlyctenular keratoconjunctivitis since the age of 6 years. At the age of 8 years, he was admitted to our hospital for a clinical and immunologic examination. His familial history was also evaluated. Physical examination showed a normally developed boy whose height was 123 cm and whose weight was 26 kg. Numerous patches of vitiligo were observed on his trunk, penis, and neck. The patient had paronychia of the nail folds of the thumb and the