Cutaneous Vasculitis

Are neutrophilic dermatoses autoinflammatory disorders?

Neutrophils constitute essential players in inflammatory responses and are the first line of defence against harmful stimuli. However, dysregulation of neutrophil homeostasis can result in excessive inflammation and subsequent tissue damage. Neutrophilic dermatoses are a spectrum of inflammatory disorders characterized by skin lesions resulting from a neutrophil-rich inflammatory infiltrate in the absence of infection. The exact molecular pathophysiology of neutrophilic dermatoses has long been poorly understood. Interestingly, neutrophil-rich cutaneous inflammation is also a cardinal feature of several autoinflammatory diseases with skin involvement, the latter being caused by aberrant innate immune responses. Overactivation of the innate immune system leading to increased production of interleukin-1 family members and 'sterile' neutrophil-rich cutaneous inflammation are features of both inherited autoinflammatory syndromes with skin involvement and an increasing number of neutrophilic dermatoses. Therefore, we propose that autoinflammation may be a cause of neutrophilic dermatoses.

Erythema Elevatum Diutinum

Erythema elevatum diutinum (EED) is a chronic cutaneous vasculitis occurring in association with a variety of conditions including autoimmunity, infectious disease, and hematological abnormalities. The role of associated medical problems is controversial, and the exact pathogenesis of EED is unknown. A series of six cases is reported. The typical clinical presentation was that of erythematous papules and plaques involving the extensor surfaces of the extremities. Histologically, a spectrum from leukocytoclastic vasculitis to vessel occlusion and dermal fibrosis was seen. The lesions of EED have many mimics clinically and histologically. Establishing the diagnosis of EED is important so appropriate screening for associated conditions can ensue. The vascular endothelium of EED stains positive for CD31, CD34, VEGF, and factor VIIIa and negative for factor XIIIa, TGFB, and LANA, a reaction pattern that does not distinguish it from similar appearing lesions. Thus, the chronic and recurrent nature of EED is the primary means of distinguishing it from entities that are clinically and histologically similar.

Urticarial vasculitis and hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome

Urticarial vasculitis is a clinicopathologic entity in which episodes of urticaria are accompanied by histopathologic features of cutaneous vasculitis. The histopathologic definition of vasculitis varies from report to report. In this article, vasculitis is defined as histopathologic features of blood vessel damage: There should be evidence of leukocytoclasis and vessel wall destruction, which may or may not be accompanied by fibrinoid deposits. Red blood cell extravasation and perivascular inflammatory cell infiltrate also may be present. The extent to which each of these elements must be present has been debated.

Vasculite ou vasculopatia livedóide?

Vasculite livedóide ou atrofia branca não é uma vasculite verdadeira. Acredita-se ser um distúrbio primário na fibrinólise que estabelece uma vasculopatia oclusiva. Assim, não sendo uma vasculite, a expressão vasculopatia livedóide é preferível. Essa definição fisiopatológica reflete-se em novas perspectivas terapêuticas.

Comparative clinical and epidemiological study of hypersensitivity vasculitis versus Henoch-Schönlein purpura in adults

OBJECTIVES

To assess the incidence and clinical features of adults with hypersensitivity vasculitis (HV) and Henoch-SchOnlein purpura (HSP) in a well-defined population.

METHODS

Retrospective study of an unselected population of adult patients (>20 years) with biopsy-proven cutaneous vasculitis diagnosed as having HV or HSP who presented at a primary hospital between 1988 and 1997. Patients with cutaneous vasculitis secondary to collagen vascular diseases, neoplasia, severe infections, and those with other well-defined clinical entities were excluded. Patients were classified as having either HV or HSP according to the criteria proposed by Michel et al (J Rheumatol 1992;19:721-28).

RESULTS

Fifty-six adults (35 men/21 women), were classified as having HV and 27 adults as having HSP (19 men/8 women). The annual incidence rate for HV was 29.7/million and 14.3/million for HSP. At the onset of the disease, adults with HSP were younger than those with HV (46+/-18 years versus 59+/-18 years in HV; P = .005). Precipitating events were found in 50% of HV and in 30% of HSP patients. A history of drug therapy before the onset of vasculitis was found in 46% of HV and in 26% of HSP (P = .074). At disease onset, skin lesions were the most common manifestation in both groups. During the disease course, adults with HSP had joint manifestations more commonly (59% in HSP v25% in HV; P < .003) and more gastrointestinal (82% v 5% in HV; P < .001) and renal complications (48% v 5% in HV; P < .001). HSP subjects required more aggressive therapy consisting of steroids (P < .001) or cytotoxic agents (P < .001). After 37+/-28 (median, 31) months, complete recovery was observed in 98% of adults with HV. After 40+/-27 (median, 36) months, complete recovery was observed in only 67% of adults with HSP (P < .001). Renal insufficiency was observed in 8% of adults with HSP.

CONCLUSIONS

In adults, HV and HSP as defined by these criteria, behave as two well-differentiated diseases. HV has a milder course and lack of severe complications, and HSP a higher risk of gastrointestinal and renal complications.

Henoch Schönlein purpura and amebiasis

The pathogenesis of Henoch Schönlein purpura (HSP) is unknown but is believed to result from an immune complex reaction to various antigenic stimuli, such as infectious agents. However, its association with Entamoeba histolytica has not been reported before. We present an 11-year-old boy with HSP, confirmed by the demonstration of leukocytoclastic vasculitis from skin and diffuse endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis, together with immunoglobulin A and complement component C3 deposition from renal biopsies. Cysts and trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica were detected from the stool of the patient at the same time and disappeared after the treatment with metranidasole. The temporal association of these two disorders is either coincidental or due to a causal relationship between them.

Infantile acute hemorrhagic edema: a variant of leukocytoclastic vasculitis

Infantile acute hemorrhagic edema (IAHE) is a leukocytoclastic vasculitis that is confined to the skin without visceral involvement. Edema and purpuric lesions characterize the disease. The disorder has a dramatic onset, with a short, benign course and spontaneous resolution within several weeks. The clinical similarities between IAHE and Henoch-Shönlein purpura have been discussed in the literature. We report three infants with IAHE and discuss the clinical, laboratory, and histopathologic features of the disease. We suggest that it should be regarded as a separate entity for appropriate diagnostic investigations and therapy.

Pleural haemorrhage in Henoch Schonlein purpura

We describe a seven-year old boy with Henoch-Schonlein purpura who presented with extensive skin rash, arthritis, and persistent abdominal pain. He was found to have small intestinal submucosal and subserosal haemorrhage on exploratory laparatomy. He developed pleural haemorrhages in the course of the disease, which to our knowledge has not been reported before in this disease.

Erythema elevatum diutinum: a clinical and histopathologic study of 13 patients

BACKGROUND

Erythema elevatum diutinum is a rare condition representing a chronic leukocytoclastic vasculitis.

OBJECTIVE

Clinical and laboratory features of the disease were reviewed to better understand the disease.

METHODS

The medical records and histopathologic slides of 13 patients with erythema elevatum diutinum were studied.

RESULTS

The lesions were violaceous, deep red, or brown and typically were papules or plaques. Lesions were most often located on the extensor surfaces of the extremities. Associated medical problems included hematologic abnormalities in six patients: IgA clonal gammopathies (four), multiple myeloma (one), and myelodysplasia (one). Erythema elevatum diutinum preceded the myeloproliferative disorders by an average of 7.8 years. All patients showed vasculitis. Leukocytoclasia was present in 27 of 35 specimens. The predominant cell type in the inflammatory infiltrate was polymorphonuclear leukocytes or a mixture of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes.

CONCLUSION

The most significant finding of this study is the association of erythema elevatum diutinum with hematologic disease, most frequently an IgA monoclonal gammopathy.