Update on vasculitis

Kidney Involvement in Hypocomplementemic Urticarial Vasculitis Syndrome-A Case-Based Review

Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome (HUVS), or McDuffie syndrome, is a rare small vessel vasculitis associated with urticaria, hypocomplementemia and positivity of anti-C1q antibodies. In rare cases, HUVS can manifest as an immune-complex mediated glomerulonephritis with a membranoproliferative pattern of injury. Due to the rarity of this disorder, little is known about the clinical manifestation, pathogenesis, treatment response and outcome of such patients. We describe here three cases of HUVS with severe renal involvement. These patients had a rapidly progressive form of glomerulonephritis with severe nephrotic syndrome against a background of a membranoproliferative pattern of glomerular injury with extensive crescent formation. Therefore, these patients required aggressive induction and maintenance immunosuppressive therapy, with a clinical and renal response in two patients, while the third patient progressed to end-stage renal disease. Because of the rarity of this condition, there are few data regarding the clinical presentation, pathology and outcome of such patients. Accordingly, we provide an extensive literature review of cases reported from 1976 until 2020 and place them in the context of the current knowledge of HUVS pathogenesis. We identified 60 patients with HUVS and renal involvement that had adequate clinical data reported, out of which 52 patients underwent a percutaneous kidney biopsy. The most frequent renal manifestation was hematuria associated with proteinuria (70% of patients), while one third had abnormal kidney function on presentation (estimated glomerular filtration (GFR) below 60 mL/min/1.73 m²). The most frequent glomerular pattern of injury was membranoproliferative (35%), followed by mesangioproliferative (21%) and membranous (19%). Similar to other systemic vasculitis, renal involvement carries a poorer prognosis, but the outcome can be improved by aggressive immunosuppressive treatment.

Rapidly progressive course of pauci-immune pulmonary capillaritis in a 70-year-old Asian male refractory to immunosuppression and plasma exchange

A 70-year-old man presented with acute respiratory failure, alveolar infiltrates and haemoptysis requiring supplemental oxygen. Flexible bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage identifies diffuse alveolar haemorrhage. Clinical and serological evaluations do not identify a precise aetiology and histopathology establishes the diagnosis of isolated pauci-immune pulmonary capillaritis. The patient received induction therapy with high dose methylprednisolone at 1000 mg/day for 5 days and weekly rituximab at 375 mg/m² scheduled over 4 weeks. Although the patient demonstrated clinical improvement after the first week, he experienced a rapid relapse requiring mechanical ventilation. His induction rituximab regimen was continued and plasma exchange was initiated. Despite these therapies, the patient's condition deteriorated and passed away. Our case adds insight to the management of this rare entity and describes the use of plasma exchange as salvage therapy.

Treatment of urticarial vasculitis: A systematic review

Urticarial vasculitis (UV) is a difficult-to-treat condition characterized by long-lasting urticarial rashes and histopathologic findings of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Treatment is dictated by the severity of skin and systemic involvement and the underlying systemic disease. This is a comprehensive systematic review of the efficacy of current UV treatment options. We searched for relevant studies in 7 databases, including MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science. In total, 261 eligible studies and 789 unique patients with UV were included in the systematic review. Most patients with UV are adult women with chronic (≥6 weeks) and systemic disease. UV is mostly idiopathic but can be associated with drugs, malignancy, autoimmunity, and infections. It usually resolves with their withdrawal or cure. Corticosteroids are effective for the treatment of skin symptoms in more than 80% of patients with UV. However, their long-term administration can lead to potentially serious adverse effects. The addition of immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive agents often allows corticosteroid tapering and improves the efficacy of therapy. Biologicals, including omalizumab, as well as corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, dapsone, mycophenolate mofetil, plasmapheresis, colchicine, hydroxychloroquine, intravenous immunoglobulin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and cyclosporine, can be effective for both skin and systemic symptoms in patients with UV. H₁-antihistamines, montelukast, danazol, H₂-antihistamines, pentoxifylline, doxepin, and tranexamic acid are not effective in most patients with UV. As of yet, no drugs have been approved for UV, and management recommendations are based mostly on case reports and retrospective studies. Prospective studies investigating the effects of treatment on the signs and symptoms of UV are needed.

Vasculitis of small and large vessels, a casual association?

The authors report a case of a 69-year-old man with idiopathic leukocytoclastic cutaneous vasculitis. For three years, the lesions recurred with progressive worsening and were associated with systemic manifestations of low-grade fever, weight loss and raised inflammatory markers. The patient latter presented a 6th cranial nerve involvement, raising the concern of a possible systemic vasculitis, which was latter evidenced by the development of deep vein thrombosis and angina pectoris. The treatment of the patient witch based on the decreasing of inflammatory activity, by using effective immunosuppressive therapy, with lower toxicity is more important than identifying the type of the vasculitis. This case illustrates the importance of awareness for the systemic involvement that can occur in up to 50% of patients with leukocytoclastic cutaneous vasculitis.

Demographic characteristics, aetiology, and assessment of treatment options in leukocytoclastic vasculitis

Introduction

Vasculitides are a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by inflammation of the blood vessel walls. Etiological factors include infections, drugs, connective tissue diseases, and malignancies.

Aim

To examine the demographic characteristics, etiological factors, and treatment options in 75 patients with leukocytoclastic vasculitis.

Material and methods

The study included 75 patients diagnosed with leukocytoclastic vasculitis at our clinic. The patients’ medical records were reviewed to determine their age, sex, presence of systemic symptoms, possible etiological factors, laboratory results, types of cutaneous lesions, locations of the lesions, treatment options, and disease course.

Results

There were 43 women and 32 men. Cutaneous lesions affected only the lower limbs in 60 of the 75 patients (80%) and usually presented as palpable purpura (64%, n = 48). Arthralgia (26.7%, n = 20) was the most frequent extracutaneous symptom. Of the patients with secondary vasculitis, the most common causes were infections and drugs. The mean age of the patients with Henoch-Schönlein purpura was 26.8 years. There was no significant association between age and renal, gastrointestinal, or joint involvement.

Conclusions

The most common form of vasculitis in our study was cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis. In most of the patients it appeared to be idiopathic. Among drugs, antibiotics were the most common etiological factor. In 4 patients, the cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis behaved like the paraneoplastic syndrome.

Endothelial Response to Glucocorticoids in Inflammatory Diseases

The endothelium plays a crucial role in inflammation. A balanced control of inflammation requires the action of glucocorticoids (GCs), steroidal hormones with potent cell-specific anti-inflammatory properties. Besides the classic anti-inflammatory effects of GCs on leukocytes, recent studies confirm that endothelial cells also represent an important target for GCs. GCs regulate different aspects of endothelial physiology including expression of adhesion molecules, production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and maintenance of endothelial barrier integrity. However, the regulation of endothelial GC sensitivity remains incompletely understood. In this review, we specifically examine the endothelial response to GCs in various inflammatory diseases ranging from multiple sclerosis, stroke, sepsis, and vasculitis to atherosclerosis. Shedding more light on the cross talk between GCs and endothelium will help to improve existing therapeutic strategies and develop new therapies better tailored to the needs of patients.

The clinical spectrum and therapeutic management of hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis: data from a French nationwide study of fifty-seven patients

OBJECTIVE

Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis (HUV) is an uncommon vasculitis of unknown etiology that is rarely described in the literature. We undertook this study to analyze the clinical spectrum and the therapeutic management of patients with HUV.

METHODS

We conducted a French nationwide retrospective study that included 57 patients with chronic urticaria, histologic leukocytoclastic vasculitis, and hypocomplementemia. We assessed clinical and laboratory data and evaluated the patients' cutaneous and immunologic responses to therapy. We evaluated treatment efficacy by measuring the time to treatment failure.

RESULTS

Urticarial lesions were typically more pruritic than painful and were associated with angioedema in 51% of patients, purpura in 35%, and livedo reticularis in 14%. Extracutaneous manifestations included constitutional symptoms (in 56% of patients) as well as musculoskeletal involvement (in 82%), ocular involvement (in 56%), pulmonary involvement (in 19%), gastrointestinal involvement (in 18%), and kidney involvement (in 14%). Patients with HUV typically presented with low C1q levels and normal C1 inhibitor levels, in association with anti-C1q antibodies in 55% of patients. Hydroxychloroquine or colchicine seemed to be as effective as corticosteroids as first-line therapy. In patients with relapsing and/or refractory disease, rates of cutaneous and immunologic response to therapy seemed to be higher with conventional immunosuppressive agents, in particular, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, or cyclophosphamide, while a rituximab-based regimen tended to have higher efficacy. Finally, a cutaneous response to therapy was strongly associated with an immunologic response to therapy.

CONCLUSION

HUV represents an uncommon systemic and relapsing vasculitis with various manifestations, mainly, musculoskeletal and ocular involvement associated with anti-C1q antibodies, which were found in approximately half of the patients. The best strategy for treating HUV has yet to be defined.

Urticarial vasculitis induced by OTC diet pills: a case report

Background

Urticarial Vasculitis (UV) is in most of the cases idiopathic; however it has been associated with several conditions and drugs. Over the counter (OTC) diet pills are widely available, even on-line, but they are rarely regulated by pharmaceutical control.

Case presentation

We present the case of a 35-year-old female patient suffering of pruriginous and painful wheals more than 1 cm in diameter, with a burning sensation. The eruption lasted more than 24 hours and was accompanied by angioedema, headache and myalgia. No remarkable medical history was found, except for previous intake of OTC diet pills. UV diagnosis was confirmed by the skin biopsy of a lesion.

Conclusion

OTC diet pills are widely available worldwide, and due to its widespread use, allergologists and dermatologist should be able to recognize symptoms and lesions of cutaneous vasculitis, which may be under reported.

Cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis associated with anti-tuberculosis drugs

Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV), a disease characterized by inflammation of the small vessels, presents with palpable purpura, especially in the lower extremities. Its etiology is known to include drugs, infection, collagen tissue disease, and malignancy, but LCV caused by anti-tuberculosis drugs is very rarely seen. This report describes the case of a 12-year-old girl who developed LCV with rifampicin and ethambutol while undergoing anti-tuberculosis treatment due to extensive pulmonary involvement.

A Phase II Multicenter Trial With Rivaroxaban in the Treatment of Livedoid Vasculopathy Assessing Pain on a Visual Analog Scale

BACKGROUND

Livedoid vasculopathy is an orphan skin disease characterized by recurrent thrombosis of the cutaneous microcirculation. It manifests itself almost exclusively in the ankles, the back of the feet, and the distal part of the lower legs. Because of the vascular occlusion, patients suffer from intense local ischemic pain. Incidence of livedoid vasculopathy is estimated to be around 1:100,000. There are currently no approved treatments for livedoid vasculopathy, making off-label therapy the only option. In Europe, thromboprophylactic treatment with low-molecular-weight heparins has become widely accepted.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this trial is the statistical verification of the therapeutic effects of the anticoagulant rivaroxaban in patients suffering from livedoid vasculopathy.

METHODS

We performed a therapeutic phase IIa trial designed as a prospective, one-armed, multicenter, interventional series of cases with a calculated sample size of 20 patients. The primary outcome is the assessment of local pain on the visual analog scale (VAS) as an intraindividual difference of 2 values between baseline and 12 weeks.

RESULTS

Enrollment started in December 2012 and was still open at the date of submission. The study is expected to finish in November 2014.

CONCLUSIONS

Livedoid vasculopathy is associated with increased thrombophilia in the cutaneous microcirculation and the continuous use of anticoagulants helps improve the symptoms. The causes of cutaneous infarctions are heterogenous, but ultimately follow the known mechanisms of the coagulation cascade. Rivaroxaban affects the coagulation cascade and inhibits the factor Xa-dependent conversion of prothrombin to thrombin, thereby considerably reducing the risk of thrombosis.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Trial Registration EudraCT Number: 2012-000108-13-DE; https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/search?query=eudract_number:2012-000108-13 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6UCktWVCA); German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS): DRKS00004652; https://drks-neu.uniklinik-freiburg.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00004652 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6UCIAKyCS).

Testicular vasculitis - literature review and case report in queensland

A 21-year-old male presented with acute onset, sharp right sided testicular pain. The testicle was removed with a histological diagnosis of testicular vasculitis. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies were negative. Although rare, males who present with acute onset pain should be screened for testicular vasculitis with a scrotal ultrasound and blood investigations including tumor markers and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies.

Antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody: positivity and clinical correlation

OBJECTIVE

To determine positivity and clinical correlation of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), taking into account the interference of antinuclear antibodies (ANA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective study was conducted in the Laboratory of Immunology of the National Cuban Center of Medical Genetic during one year. Two hounded sixty-seven patients with indication for ANCA determination were included. ANCA and ANA determinations with different cut off points and assays were determined by indirect immunofluorescense. Anti proteinase 3 and antimyeloperoxidase antibodies were determined by ELISA.

RESULTS

Most positivity for ANCA was seen in patients with ANCA associated, primary small-vessel vasculitides, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Presence of ANCA without positivity for proteinase 3 and myeloperoxidase was higher in patients with ANA and little relation was observed between the perinuclear pattern confirmed in formalin and specificity by myeloperoxidase. Highest sensibility and specificity values for vasculitides diagnostic were achieved by ANCA determination using indirect immunofluorescense with a cut off 1/80 and confirming antigenic specificities with ELISA.

CONCLUSION

ANCA can be present in a great number of chronic inflammatory or autoimmune disorders in the population studied. This determination using indirect immunofluorescence and following by ELISA had a great value for vasculitis diagnosis. Anti mieloperoxidasa assay has a higher utility than the formalin assay when ANA is present.

Henoch-Schonlein purpura presenting sequentially as nodular rash, erythema nodosum, and palpable purpura

We describe a 26-year-old woman who presented with a nodular rash on the elbows following an insect bite. Two days later, she developed erythema nodosum. Both these lesions were treated symptomatically. One week later, she had purpura, abdominal pain, hematuria, and arthralgias, following which steroids were administered. Her investigations revealed only microscopic hematuria that disappeared with therapy. This pattern of sequential appearance of rash and a nodular morphology are both unique features not previously reported.

Antituberculosis therapy-associated cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis

Antituberculosis therapy-associated cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis (CLV) has been rarely reported. We describe a case of CLV induced by rifampicin and pyrazinamide. A 14-year-old male diagnosed with disseminated tuberculosis developed purpuric lesions after 1.5 months of treatment. Histopathology was consistent with leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Skin lesion improved after cessation of the two drugs and treatment with corticosteroids.

Clinical features and outcomes of 37 Argentinean patients with severe granulomatosis with polyangiitis (wegener granulomatosis)

BACKGROUND

Most epidemiologic studies involving severe granulomatosis with polyangiitis (SGPA) patients have investigated populations from the northern hemisphere, whereas few studies have been conducted in South America. None of the South American studies have differentiated between localized GPA and SGPA.

PURPOSE

The present study was designed to describe a cohort of Argentinean patients who were diagnosed with SGPA and to compare this cohort with previously well-described cohorts.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study that included 37 consecutive SGPA patients who were seen at 2 tertiary centers in Buenos Aires.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients (51.3%) were male, and 18 patients (49.7%) were female. The mean age at the onset of symptoms was 48.5 ± 12.01 years. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) was detected in 34 patients (91.89%): 32 patients (86.48%) had a cytoplasmic staining pattern, whereas 2 patients (5.40%) had a perinuclear pattern. Three patients were ANCA-negative. Twenty-four patients (64%) achieved remission, and 7 patients (19%) had response as defined by at least 50% reduction in the disease activity score. Nineteen relapses were observed in 12 patients, and 2 of the relapses were fatal. Overall, there were 14 deaths (37.83%).

CONCLUSIONS

The present series demonstrated that Argentinean patients have similar demographics, clinical manifestations, and outcomes as the cohorts from the northern hemisphere. There was less granulomatous organ involvement (ear/nose/throat, lung granulomas) in the present cohort compared with other series.

Direct immunofluorescence in cutaneous vasculitis: experience from a referral hospital in India

Background:

Cutaneous vasculitis is commonly recognized and biopsied, owing to ease of access. Most biopsies are also subjected to direct immunofluorescence (DIF), though the rates of positivity vary. This is an attempt to assess the utility of DIF and glean data that will help optimize the test.

Objective:

To assess the diagnostic utility of DIF in cutaneous vasculitis.

Materials and Methods:

All cases of suspected cutaneous vasculitis submitted for DIF between 2004 and 2010 were included. Clinical data, histopathologic diagnosis, DIF findings and additional tests such as anti nuclear antibody (ANA), anti neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) (where done) were noted.

Results:

There were 198 patients in the study group, with a female predominance. Purpura was the commonest clinical presentation. Extracutaneous involvement was noted in 29% of patients’ i.e., joint pain, abdominal pain and hematuria. Leukocytoclastic vasculitis was the commonest histologic diagnosis. DIF showed an overall positivity of 39% (n = 77) with C3 in 26% (n = 52) and IgA in 23% (n = 46) cases. Forty one cases of suspected Henoch Schonlein Purpura (HSP) showed IgA positivity. The timing of biopsy ranged from <3 days to six months, with 38% being done within seven days. DIF was positive in 86% of biopsies performed within seven days of onset of lesions. Sixty percent of patients with extracutaneous manifestations showed deposits. Vascular deposits were also noted in dermatitis herpetiformis, dematomyositis and prurigo.

Conclusion:

DIF positivity is strongly influenced by the timing of the biopsy and the presence of extracutaneous features. Its clinical value is greatest in patients with HSP, being contributory in 90% of cases. Vascular deposits may be seen in non-vasculitic conditions and need clinicopathologic correlation.

Annular leukocytoclastic vasculitis associated with anti-tuberculosis medications: a case report

Introduction

Anti-tuberculosis drug-induced cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis has been rarely reported. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of annular leukocytoclastic vasculitis associated with anti-tuberculosis drug administration.

Case presentation

We report a case of annular leukocytoclastic vasculitis induced by anti-tuberculosis medication. A 62-year-old Thai man presented to our facility with a generalized exanthematous rash on his trunk and extremities that resolved shortly afterwards. Subsequently, he developed multiple, erythematous-to-purplish, non-blanchable macules and papules with an annular arrangement on his extremities. The skin rash occurred after two weeks of anti-tuberculosis medication. The histopathology of the purpuric skin lesion was consistent with leukocytoclastic vasculitis. The skin lesion improved after discontinuation of the anti-tuberculosis drugs and treatment with oral antihistamine and topical corticosteroid drugs. Streptomycin, ethambutol and ofloxacin were administered as second-line anti-tuberculosis therapy during his hospitalization. No adverse reactions were observed.

Conclusions

Leukocytoclastic vasculitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of annular non-blanchable macules and papules. Although rare, anti-tuberculosis drugs should be considered potential causes of drug-induced annular leukocytoclastic vasculitis.

α-1-Antitrypsin and IFN-γ reduce the severity of IC-mediated vasculitis by regulation of leukocyte recruitment in vivo

IC-mediated vasculitis (ICV) can be life threatening. The cellular and immune mechanisms controlling ICV are poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated the role of α-1-antitrypsin (α1AT) and IFN-γ in reducing the severity of ICV in a mouse model in vivo. To induce ICV, mice were challenged with the reverse passive Arthus reaction (RPA), the prototypic in vivo model for leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LcV), and the modulation of vascular permeability, edema formation, and leukocyte recruitment was studied. To further analyze the dynamics of RPA, we applied intravital microscopy in the dorsal skinfold chamber. α1AT continuously led to reduced leukocyte recruitment. α1AT interfered with neutrophil recruitment through a KC-dependent mechanism and reduced KC-elicited neutrophil activation. In contrast to α1AT, IFN-γ-reduced leukocyte recruitment during RPA was clearly independent of KC. We also revealed that the recruitment of neutrophils during RPA was a prerequisite for full KC expression. Thus, therapeutic administration of α1AT and IFN-γ might be beneficial for limiting the duration and severity of ICV.

Spinal cord stimulation in the treatment of acute and chronic vasculitis: clinical discussion and synopsis of the literature

OBJECTIVES

  Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been widely noted as a treatment for ischemic pain secondary to peripheral vascular disease, but evidence in the vasculitis disease state is lacking. In this paper we present two cases that exemplify the potential of SCS in this unique population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

  Two case studies involving patients with the conditions noted including initial findings, treatment protocol, and results documented throughout the treatment regimen. A comprehensive review of the critical literature also was performed.

RESULTS

  Both patients showed marked improvement with SCS. Pain scores improved dramatically, with a major improvement in disease symptom and quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

  Based on literature and our results, SCS is an effective and safe therapy for patients with therapeutically refractory vasculitis.

Peroxiredoxin 2 is a novel autoantigen for anti-endothelial cell antibodies in systemic vasculitis

Anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) have been frequently detected in systemic vasculitis, which affects blood vessels of various sizes. To understand the pathogenic roles of AECA in systemic vasculitis, we attempted to identify target antigens for AECA comprehensively by a proteomic approach. Proteins extracted from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis, and Western blotting was subsequently conducted using sera from patients with systemic vasculitis. As a result, 53 autoantigenic protein spots for AECA were detected, nine of which were identified by mass spectrometry. One of the identified proteins was peroxiredoxin 2 (Prx2), an anti-oxidant enzyme. Frequency of anti-Prx2 autoantibodies, measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), was significantly higher in systemic vasculitis (60%) compared to those in collagen diseases without clinical vasculitis (7%, P < 0·01) and healthy individuals (0%, P < 0·01). Further, the titres changed in parallel with the disease activity during time-courses. The presence of anti-Prx2 autoantibodies correlated significantly with elevation of serum d-dimers and thrombin-antithrombin complex (P < 0·05). Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that live endothelial cells expressed Prx2 on their surface. Interestingly, stimulation of HUVEC with rabbit anti-Prx2 antibodies increased secretion of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, IL-1ra, growth regulated oncogene (GRO)-α, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 more than twofold compared to that of with rabbit immunoglobulin (Ig)G. Taken together, our data suggest that anti-Prx2 autoantibodies would be a useful marker for systemic vasculitis and would be involved in the inflammatory processes of systemic vasculitis.

Immunological Aspects of Systemic Vasculitis

Primary vasculitis are commonly multifactorial disorders involving environmental, genetic and immunological factors. Several immune-based effector mechanisms are implicated in the vascular wall damage. These effector mechanisms commonly imply auto-antibodies or immune complexes - mediated cytotoxicity but the contribution of a T-cell mediated immune response has also been described, particularly in large vascular vasculitis. Despite advances in understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of vasculitis, the triggering events initiating the disease remain largely undefined in most cases. This review highlights the recent advances in the etiopathogenesis of primary vasculitis. A better understanding of the immunological aspects of these disorders may provide insight into the development of novel therapeutical strategies.

Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome

Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome (HUVS) is an uncommon immune complex-mediated entity characterized by urticaria with persistent acquired hypocomplementemia. First described in 1973, HUVS is associated with several systemic findings including leukocytoclastic vasculitis, severe angioedema, laryngeal edema, pulmonary involvement, arthritis, arthralgia, glomerulonephritis, and uveitis. These manifestations should be present for at least 6 months. Laboratory findings include low complement levels of classical pathway, namely C1q, C2, C3, and C4. The disease marker is the serum presence of anti-C1q antibodies. Treatment, based on disease severity, involves corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive agents that have demonstrated some success. Patients may have significant morbidity and mortality, most commonly caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute laryngeal edema.

Cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis due to anti-tuberculosis medications, rifampin and pyrazinamide

Anti-tuberculosis drugs frequently result in cutaneous adverse reactions, including pruritus, maculopapular exanthems, and urticaria. However, anti-tuberculosis drug-associated cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis (CLV) has been rarely reported. We describe a case of CLV induced by rifampin and pyrazinamide. A 38-year-old male had been diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis two months ago and then he started standard anti-tuberculosis therapy with isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. Purpuric lesions developed in the extremities after 1.5 months of anti-tuberculosis medication; the lesions progressively spread over the entire body. Histopathology of the purpuric skin lesion was consistent with leukocytoclastic vasculitis. The skin lesion improved after cessation of anti-tuberculosis medications and treatment with oral corticosteroids and antihistamines. Anti-tuberculosis drugs were rechallenged one at a time over 3 days. Purpura recurred on the right forearm and forehead after taking 300 mg of rifampin. The skin lesion disappeared after taking oral prednisolone. Finally, 1,500 mg of pyrazinamide was readministrated, and then purpuric lesions recurred on both forearms. This report describes a case of leukocytoclastic vasculitis secondary to rifampin and pyrazinamide therapy.