Associations of MEFV gene variants, IL-33, and sST2 with the risk of Henoch-Schönlein purpura in children

Objective

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is the most common systemic vasculitis in children. HSP is a multifactorial inflammatory disease, but its pathogenesis is still unclear. The pathogenicity of familial Mediterranean fever gene (MEFV) variants in HSP remains controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate relationships between MEFV variants and susceptibility to HSP and their associations with clinical outcomes. We also investigated levels of IL-33 and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) in children with HSP and their clinical significance.

Methods

We selected 100 children with HSP as the case group. The control group consisted of 50 children who visited the hospital for physical health examinations. All subjects were screened for MEFV gene exon mutations, and levels of IL-33 and sST2 were measured.

Results

The frequency of MEFV variants was significantly greater in HSP patients than in healthy controls. The variant with the highest frequency was E148Q. The frequency of the C allele of the MEFV variant E148Q was 32 % in HSP patients and 18 % in controls (P-adjust = 0.04). Patients with the MEFV E148Q variant had more frequent joint involvement and recurrent purpura and higher levels of IL-33 and C-reactive protein (CRP). Levels of IL-33 and sST2 in children with HSP were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the sST2/IL-33 ratio in children with HSP was unbalanced (P-adjust <0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed the presence of E148Q and an unbalanced sST2/IL-33 ratio to be independent risk factors for HSP.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that the MEFV variant E148Q is associated with HSP susceptibility in Chinese children and that carriers of the variant may have more severe clinical manifestations and greater inflammatory responses. E148Q and the sST2/IL-33 ratio may play important roles in the pathogenesis of HSP.

Association between polymorphism at codon 469 of the ICAM-1 gene and Henoch-Schönlein purpura in an Iranian cohort

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a common form of IgA1-mediated blood vessel inflammation affecting mainly children. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) gene polymorphisms have been shown to be associated with HSP in different populations; in this study, we investigated its potential association and influence on the development of severe complications in Iranian HSP patients. Twenty-three patients diagnosed with IgAV/HSP according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) with 53 age- and sex-matched control subjects were referred to us. Cases and controls were genotyped using Sanger sequencing. Based on our research data, we found an association between codon 469 K/E of the ICAM1 gene and risk of HSP. Our results revealed that KK genotype and allele K are more common in control than in the HSP group, therefore the subjects with KK genotype are protected against HSP. Our data also suggested that the genotype EE is associated with higher risk of HSP progression compared to KK genotype.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors of cardiac involvement in pediatric immunoglobulin A vasculitis: A 7-year retrospective study from a single tertiary medical center

Immunoglobulin A vasculitis(IgAV) is the most common form of systemic vasculitis affecting children. To date, cardiac involvement in pediatric IgAV has not been fully investigated and its prevalence may be underestimated. This study aims to reveal the clinical and laboratory characteristics of cardiac involvement in pediatric IgAV and further determine its risk factors. A total of 1451 children with IgAV were recruited between January 2016 and December 2022. According to the severity of cardiac involvement, the patients were divided into the myocarditis/suspected myocarditis group, cardiac abnormalities group, and non-cardiac involvement group. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics were retrospectively extracted from the individual data collected in the medical records. Among the 1451 pediatric IgAV patients, 179 (12.3%) were identified with cardiac involvement, including 154 (10.6%) with cardiac abnormalities and 25 (1.7%) with myocarditis/suspected myocarditis. Cardiac involvement in pediatric IgAV mainly manifested as elevated cardiac biomarker levels (n = 162), electrocardiogram abnormalities (n = 46), and echocardiogram/chest X-ray abnormalities (n = 15); however, cardiac-related symptoms were only observed in 15.1% of patients with cardiac involvement. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that interval from disease onset to diagnosis > 7 days (OR, 2.157; 95% CI, 1.523-3.057; p < 0.001), IgAV with multi-organ involvement (OR, 1.806; 95% CI, 1.242-2.627; p = 0.002), and elevated D-dimer levels (OR, 1.939; 95% CI, 1.259-2.985; p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for cardiac involvement in pediatric IgAV. The length of hospital stay was significantly longer in the myocarditis/suspected myocarditis group compared with the other two groups (p < 0.05).     Conclusion: This study suggests that cardiac involvements in pediatric IgAV is non-negligible, and cardiac involvement is associated with interval from disease onset to diagnosis > 7 days, IgAV with multi-organ involvement, and elevated D-dimer levels. Severe cardiac involvement may affect the prognosis of pediatric IgAV. What is Known: • Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV) is the most common form of systemic vasculitis affecting children and adolescents, which exhibits diverse clinical manifestations. Cases of severe IgAV complicated by cardiac involvement have been anecdotally reported. What is New: • The present study suggests that cardiac involvements in pediatric IgAV is non-negligible, and cardiac involvement is associated with interval from disease onset to diagnosis > 7 days, IgAV with multi-organ involvement, and elevated D-dimer levels. Severe cardiac involvement may affect the prognosis of pediatric IgAV.

Ang-1, Ang-2, and Tie2 are diagnostic biomarkers for Henoch-Schönlein purpura and pediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematous

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) and pediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (pSLE) are closely associated with vasculitis and vascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the clinical diagnostic values of Ang-1, Ang-2, and Tie2 for HSP and pSLE. We surveyed 82 HSP patients, 34 pSLE patients, and 10 healthy children. The expression levels of Ang-1, Ang-2, and Tie2 in the serum and urine were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The diagnostic values of Ang-1, Ang-2, and Tie2 for HSP and pSLE were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The results revealed that the serum and urine expression levels of Ang-2 and Tie2 were significantly elevated in HSP and pSLE patients, whereas the Ang-1/Ang-2 values were reduced. Additionally, Ang-1 was highly expressed in the serum and urine of HSP patients and in the serum of pSLE patients. Ang-1, Ang-2, and Tie2 showed differential expression in various types of HSP and pSLE compared with their expression in healthy controls. In summary, Ang-1, Ang-2, and Tie2 can serve as biomarkers for HSP and pSLE. Moreover, Ang-1/Ang-2 values are reduced in HSP and pSLE patients. Ang-1, Ang-2, and Tie2 can be used as biomarkers for HSP and pSLE.

Predictors of Gastrointestinal Involvement in Children with IgA Vasculitis: Results from a Single-Center Cohort Observational Study

Background and objective: IgA vasculitis (IgAV), a predominantly pediatric leukocytoclastic disease, has an unpredictable, though largely benign, evolution. The aim of this study was to retrospectively investigate any potential clinical or laboratory predictors of gastrointestinal involvement in a single-center cohort of children with IgAV. Patients and methods: A total of 195 children with a history of IgAV, regularly followed-up for an average period of 1 ± 2.6 years via outpatients clinics of the pediatric rheumatology unit in our University, were assessed, analyzing their clinical and laboratory variables in relationship with their disease evolution and outcome. Results: Univariate analysis showed that a higher neutrophil granulocyte count and lower lymphocyte count (expressed as a percentage of the total white blood cells) were significantly associated with the presence of gastrointestinal involvement at the first examination (65.2 ± 13% versus 58.8 ± 12%, p = 0.02, and 26.4 ± 11% versus 32.1 ± 11%, p = 0.02, respectively). A positive pharyngeal swab for Streptococcus pyogenes, a deficiency of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, a persistence of purpuric rash for more than 1 month, and purpuric lesions in the genital area were also associated with gastrointestinal involvement (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0001, p = 0.007 and p = 0.001, respectively). However, multiple logistic regressions with correction for the patients' sex and age showed that lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, persistent rash, and genital lesions were independently and significantly associated with signs of gastrointestinal involvement. We then performed a secondary analysis (both univariate and multivariate) to investigate whether vitamin D deficiency was associated with other IgAV manifestations: we found that only 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency remained significantly associated with gastrointestinal involvement in IgAV. Conclusions: Patients with IgAV and vitamin D deficiency might be more prone to developing gastrointestinal manifestations of variable severity.

Worldwide Distribution and Extracutaneous Manifestations of Henoch-Schönlein Purpura in Adults: Narrative Review

BACKGROUND

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP), a leukocytoclastic small vessel vasculitis, exhibits both cutaneous and systemic manifestations. While predominantly observed in childhood, it may manifest in adults with more pronounced systemic involvement. Furthermore, HSP is a global phenomenon showcasing epidemiological and systemic variances.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to scrutinize extracutaneous manifestations in adults with HSP, discerning distinctions according to geographical regions on a worldwide scale.

METHODS

A comprehensive search encompassing PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science was executed, covering papers published from January 1, 1970, to December 1, 2019. Keywords used included "Henoch-Schönlein purpura," "henoch schonlein purpura+adult," "IgA vasculitis+adult," "HSP+adult," and "IgAV." A total of 995 publications were identified, from which 42 studies encompassing 4064 patients were selected, with a predominant focus on cases reported in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

RESULTS

Among adults afflicted with HSP, European patients exhibited a higher propensity for male predominance (P<.001), gastrointestinal involvement (P<.001), and musculoskeletal complications (P<.001). Conversely, patients from the Americas were least likely to experience genitourinary involvement (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

HSP demonstrates a variance in distribution and extracutaneous manifestations within distinct geographical boundaries. In the adult population, European patients exhibited a higher prevalence of male gender and gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal involvement. Asian patients were more predisposed to genitourinary involvement when compared to their American counterparts. The establishment of prospective studies using standardized reporting measures is imperative to validate the relationships unveiled in this investigation.

Immunological Features of Children with Gastrointestinal Bleeding Due to Henoch-Schönlein Purpura

Background

This study aims to evaluate the immunological features of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP).

Study Design

This retrospective study was conducted on children with HSP. Demographic and clinical data were collected, including serum immunoglobulin (Ig) levels, complement C3 and C4 levels, and lymphocyte subtype percentage.

Results

A total of 446 hospitalized children had HSP. Eighty-six children with HSP had GI bleeding, 114 had proteinuria, and 107 had hematuria. Lower arthralgia, prolonged glucocorticoid use, increased white blood cell counts, elevated neutrophils and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, reduced IgG and C3 levels, elevated CD19+ cell percentage, and reduced CD3+ cell and natural killer cell percentages were associated with GI bleeding risk in patients with HSP. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that arthralgia, glucocorticoid use, increased neutrophil percentage, reduced IgG and C3 levels, and increased CD19+ cell percentage were independent predictors of GI bleeding. Further analysis indicated that the combination of C3 and CD19+ cell percentages had a high predictive ability for GI bleeding in children with HSP.

Conclusion

This study indicated that reduced C3 and increased CD19+ cell percentages contributed to the development of GI bleeding in children with HSP. Specific immunologic profiles may be strongly correlated with GI bleeding risk in children with HSP.

Comparison of Different Treatment Regimens for Long-term Improvement of Renal Function in Patients with Henoch-Schönlein Purpura: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUNDS

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (IgA vasculitis) is the most common childhood vasculitis, one of its complications is renal involvement. However, several treatment regimens have been proposed to improve renal function in the long term, but which drug regimen can be most effective is still controversial.

METHODS

This study was a systematic review. In order to find evidence related to the purpose of this study, databases including Google Scholar, Web of Science, ProQuest and Medline via PubMed, and Scopus were searched with the appropriate keywords. QUADAS-2 (a Quality Assessment tools for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies) checklist was also used to evaluate the quality of studies. Based on the keywords used in reviewing the information sources of scientific articles, in the first stage, 86 studies were included in the review. Taking into account characteristics such as lack of homogeneity with the objectives of the present study, finally, 11 studies were selected for analysis and final evaluation.

RESULTS

A total of 11 studies, including 722 patients in the age range of 5.5 to 9.9 years with HSP were included in the study. The follow-up period of the patients varied from 6 months to 16 years in terms of examining the treatment process. In terms of study type, 7 studies were conducted as prospective or retrospective (non-interventional) cohorts and 4 studies as randomized clinical trials. The treatment regimen of injectable methylprednisolone followed by oral prednisolone resulted in a long-term recovery of 79.2% (95% confidence interval between 0.66% and 88.2%); however, the need for additional immunosuppressive in two studies was mentioned as 38% and 46.1%, respectively. In the therapeutic regimen of oral methylprednisolone alone, a significant improvement in long-term renal function was achieved in comparison with placebo. Administration of injectable methylprednisolone followed by cyclosporine A had the highest effectiveness in terms of improving renal function in the long term.

CONCLUSION

Regimes based on the administration of prednisolone (either oral or injectable, either as a single drug or as a combination) lead to long-term improvement of renal function in patients with HSP, but the use of other immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporine A, of course, with optimizing the drug dose can lead to a significant improvement in the clinical performance.

Mendelian randomization analysis reveals causality of inflammatory bowel disease on risks of Henoch-Schönlein purpura and immune thrombocytopenia

BACKGROUND

Emerging clinical evidence has been discovered associating Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). However, it is unclear whether a cause-effect relationship exists between them. We aimed to examine the casual effect of IBD on the risk of HSP and ITP.

METHODS

Based on summary statistics from International IBD Genetics (IIBDG) Consortium and FinnGen study, a two-sample Mendelian randomization study was carried out to determine whether IBD including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) is causally related to HSP, ITP or secondary thrombocytopenia. To support the results, a variety of sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Significant causal relationships between IBD and HSP (odds ratios = 1.20, 95% confidence interval: 1.07-1.36, adjusted P = 0.006) and ITP (odds ratios =1.22, 95% confidence interval: 1.08-1.38, adjusted P = 0.006) were found. Both genetically predicted UC and CD were positively related with ITP, while CD alone may be responsible for the higher risk of HSP. Besides, no significant association was observed between IBD and secondary thrombocytopenia.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this Mendelian randomization study supported the causal association of IBD with HSP and ITP. Taken together, our findings may present implications for management of IBD.

[Research advances in the etiology and pathogenesis of immunoglobulin A vasculitis]

Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV), also known as Henoch-Schönlein purpura, has complex etiology and pathogenesis which have not been fully clarified. The latest research shows that SARS-CoV-2 and related vaccines, human papilloma vaccine, and certain biological agents can also induce IgAV. Most studies believe that the formation of galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) and Gd-IgA1-containing immune complex plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of IgAV. It is hypothesized that the pathogenesis of IgAV is associated with the binding of IgA1 to anti-endothelial cell antibodies. In addition, genetics also constitutes a major focus of IgAV research. This article reviews the new advances in the etiology of IgAV and summarizes the role of Gd-IgA1, Gd-IgA1-containing immune complex, anti-endothelial antibody, IgA1 conjugates, T lymphocyte immunity, and genetic factors in the pathogenesis of IgAV.

A narrative review of potential drug treatments for nephritis in children with IgA vasculitis (HSP)

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) vasculitis (IgAV, also known as Henoch-Schoenlein purpura, HSP) is the most common vasculitis of childhood. It usually presents with a simple, self-limiting disease course; however, a small subset of patients may develop kidney involvement (IgAV-N) which occurs 4-12 weeks after disease onset and is the biggest contributor to long-term morbidity. Treatment currently targets patients with established kidney involvement; however; there is a desire to work towards early prevention of inflammation during the window of opportunity between disease presentation and onset of significant nephritis. There are no clinical trials evaluating drugs which may prevent or halt the progression of nephritis in children with IgAV apart from the early use of corticosteroids which have no benefit. This article summarises the latest scientific evidence and clinical trials that support potential therapeutic targets for IgAV-N that are currently being developed based on the evolving understanding of the pathophysiology of IgAV-N. These span the mucosal immunity, B-cell and T-cell modulation, RAAS inhibition, and regulation of complement pathways, amongst others. Novel drugs that may be considered for use in early nephritis include TRF-budesonide; B-cell inhibiting agents including belimumab, telitacicept, blisibimod, VIS649, and BION-1301; B-cell depleting agents such as rituximab, ofatumumab, and bortezomib; sparsentan; angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is); and complement pathway inhibitors including avacopan, iptacopan, and narsoplimab. Further clinical trials, as well as pre-clinical scientific studies, are needed to identify mechanistic pathways as there may be an opportunity to prevent nephritis in this condition. Key Points • Kidney involvement is the main cause of long-term morbidity and mortality in IgA vasculitis despite the current treatment recommendations. • The evolving understanding of the pathophysiology of IgA vasculitis is allowing exploration of novel treatment options which target underlying immune pathways. • Novel treatments currently being trialled in IgA nephropathy may have benefit in IgA vasculitis due to the similarities in the underlying pathophysiology, such as TRF-budesonide, B-cell modulators, and complement inhibitors. • Further studies, including clinical trials of novel drugs, are urgently needed to improve the long-term outcomes for children with IgA vasculitis nephritis.

Clinical course and management of children with IgA vasculitis with nephritis

BACKGROUND

IgA vasculitis is the most common vasculitis in children and is often complicated by acute nephritis (IgAVN). Risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among children with IgAVN remains unknown. This study aimed to describe the clinical management and kidney outcomes in a large cohort of children with IgAVN.

METHODS

This observational cohort study used the PEDSnet database to identify children diagnosed with IgAV between January 1, 2009, and February 29, 2020. Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared among children with and without kidney involvement. For children followed by nephrology, clinical course, and management patterns were described. Patients were divided into four categories based on treatment: observation, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockade, corticosteroids, and other immunosuppression, and outcomes were compared among these groups.

RESULTS

A total of 6802 children had a diagnosis of IgAV, of whom 1139 (16.7%) were followed by nephrology for at least 2 visits over a median follow-up period of 1.7 years [0.4,4.2]. Conservative management was the most predominant practice pattern, consisting of observation in 57% and RAAS blockade in 6%. Steroid monotherapy was used in 29% and other immunosuppression regimens in 8%. Children receiving immunosuppression had higher rates of proteinuria and hypertension compared to those managed with observation (p < 0.001). At the end of follow-up, 2.6 and 0.5% developed CKD and kidney failure, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Kidney outcomes over a limited follow-up period were favorable in a large cohort of children with IgAV. Immunosuppressive medications were used in those with more severe presentations and may have contributed to improved outcomes. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

[Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV)]

IgA vasculitis (IgAV) is an immune complex-mediated vasculitis characterized by IgA1-dominant immune deposits in small vessels. It is the most common systemic vasculitis in childhood with a mostly uncomplicated and self-limiting course. Adults are less affected but the course is frequently more complicated and more frequently accompanied by renal involvement. IgAV characteristically manifests itself on the skin with palpable purpura and in joints, the kidneys and the gastrointestinal tract. In cases of incomplete or atypical symptoms a differential diagnostic work-up is required. A number of triggers have been suggested, especially infections and drugs. Disease management is tailored to organ manifestations and the severity of the symptoms. For children, optimized supportive care and targeted symptom relief are usually sufficient. Management of renal and gastrointestinal manifestations follows recommendations for ANCA-associated vasculitis and IgA nephropathy. Treatment options include glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive agents with varying and mostly insufficient evidence.

Serum total bile acid levels assist in the prediction of acute intussusception with abdominal type Henoch-Schonlein purpura in children

Background

The severe acute abdomen associated with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is an acute intussusception (AI). There is no reliable specific marker for AI with abdominal-type HSP. The serum total bile acid (TBA) level is a new prognostic marker associated with the severity of intestinal inflammation. The purpose of this study was to identify the prognostic value of serum TBA levels for the diagnosis of AI in children with abdominal-type HSP.

Methods

A retrospective study of 708 patients with abdominal-type HSP was conducted, with demographic data, clinical symptoms, hepatic function index, immune function markers, and clinical outcomes assessed. Patients were divided into two groups: HSP (613 patients) and HSP with AI (95 patients). The data were analysed using SPSS 22.0.

Results

Of the 708 patients, the serum TBA levels were higher in the HSP with AI group than in the HSP group (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that vomiting (OR = 396.492, 95% CI = 14.93-10,529.67, P < 0.001), haematochezia (OR = 87.436, 95% CI = 5.944-1,286.214, P = 0.001), TBA (OR = 16.287, 95% CI = 4.83-54.922, P < 0.001), and D-dimer (OR = 5.987, 95% CI = 1.892-15.834, P = 0.003) were independent risk factors for abdominal-type HSP with AI. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off serum TBA value (sensitivity = 91.58%, specificity = 84.67%, AUC = 93.6524%) was >3 μmol/L for predicting AI in children with abdominal-type HSP. In this group of HSP patients with AI, a serum TBA level ≥6.98 μmol/L was significantly associated with an increased incidence of operative treatment (51.85% vs. 75.61%, P = 0.0181), intestinal necrosis (9.26% vs. 29.27%, P = 0.0117), and length of hospital stay [15.76 ± 5.31 vs. 10.98 ± 2.83 (days), P < 0.0001].

Conclusion

In children with HSP and AI, the serum TBA level was significantly higher. A novel but promising haematological indicator, the serum TBA level, helps identify HSP with and without AI and predicts intestinal necrosis in HSP with AI.

[Potential components and mechanism of Liangxue Tuezi Mixture in treating Henoch-Schönlein purpura based on network pharmacology and metabolomics]

Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of fight/mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and UNIFI were employed to rapidly determine the content of the components in Liangxue Tuizi Mixture. The targets of the active components and Henoch-Schönlein purpura(HSP) were obtained from SwissTargetPrediction, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM), and GeneCards. A &quot;component-target-disease&quot; network and a protein-protein interaction(PPI) network were constructed. Gene Ontology(GO) functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed for the targets by Omishare. The interactions between the potential active components and the core targets were verified by molecular docking. Furthermore, rats were randomly assigned into a normal group, a model group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose Liangxue Tuizi Mixture groups. Non-targeted metabolomics was employed to screen the differential metabolites in the serum, analyze possible metabolic pathways, and construct the &quot;component-target-differential metabolite&quot; network. A total of 45 components of Liangxue Tuizi Mixture were identified, and 145 potential targets for the treatment of HSP were predicted. The main signaling pathways enriched included resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K-AKT), and T cell receptor. The results of molecular docking showed that the active components in Liangxue Tuizi Mixture had strong binding ability with the key target proteins. A total of 13 differential metabolites in the serum were screened out, which shared 27 common targets with active components. The progression of HSP was related to metabolic abnormalities of glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid. The results indicate that the components in Liangxue Tuizi Mixture mainly treats HSP by regulating inflammation and immunity, providing a scientific basis for rational drug use in clinical practice.

Proteome analysis reveals novel serum biomarkers for Henoch-Schönlein purpura in Chinese children

PURPOSE

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is diagnosed based on characteristic skin changes. This study aimed to identify the serum biomarkers of HSP in children.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

We performed proteomic analysis of serum samples from 38 paired pre- and posttherapy HSP patients and 22 healthy controls using a combination of magnetic bead-based weak cation exchange and MALDI-TOF MS. ClinProTools was used to screen the differential peaks. Then, LC-ESI-MS/MS was performed to identify the proteins. ELISA was used to verify the expression of whole protein in the serum of 92 HSP patients, 14 peptic ulcer disease (PUD) patients and 38 healthy controls, which were prospectively collected. Finally, logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the diagnostic value of the above predictors and existing clinical indicators.

RESULTS

Seven potential HSP serum biomarker peaks (m/z:1228.95, m/z:1781.22, m/z:1468.43, m/z:1619.53, m/z:1868.41, m/z:1694.05, m/z:1743.25) with higher expression in the pretherapy group and one peak (m/z:1947.41) with lower expression in the pretherapy group were all identified as peptide regions of albumin (ALB), complement C4-A precursor (C4A), tubulin beta chain (TUBB), isoform 1 of fibrinogen alpha chain (FGA), and ezrin (EZR). The expression of identified proteins was validated by ELISA. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that serum C4A EZR and ALB were independent risk factors for HSP, serum C4A and lgA were independent risk factors for HSPN, and serum D-dimer was an independent risk factor for abdominal HSP.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

These findings revealed the specific etiology of HSP from the perspective of serum proteomics. The identified proteins might serve as potential biomarkers for HSP and HSPN diagnoses.

SIGNIFICANCE

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is the most common systemic vasculitis in children, and its diagnosis depends primarily on characteristic skin changes. Early diagnosis of non-rash patients is difficult, especially for abdominal and renal types (Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis, HSPN). HSPN has poor outcomes, is diagnosed based on urinary protein and/or haematuria, and cannot be detected early in HSP. Patients with an earlier diagnosis of HSPN appear to have better renal outcomes. Our plasma proteomic analysis of HSP in children revealed that HSP patients could be distinguished from healthy controls and peptic ulcer disease patients using complement C4-A precursor (C4A), ezrin, and albumin. C4A and IgA could distinguish HSPN from HSP in the early stages, and D-dimer was a sensitive index used to distinguish abdominal HSP; identifying these biomarkers could promote the early diagnosis of HSP, especially pediatric HSPN and abdominal HSP, thereby improving precision therapy.

Successful treatment of Henoch-Schönlein purpura-associated hematochezia in a child with hemophilia A: a case report

BACKGROUND

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a common form of immunological vasculitis in children. Hemophilia A is a genetic disorder and characterized by spontaneous hemorrhage or prolonged bleeding due to factor VIII deficiency. Both diseases increase the risk of bleeding, but they have different mechanisms. How should we treat patients with both diseases?

CASE PRESENTATION

An 8-year-old male with hemophilia A was diagnosed with HSP while receiving coagulation factor VIII replacement therapy in our hospital. Hematochezia occurred 6 days after the diagnosis of HSP. And he treated with coagulation FVIII, methylprednisolone and hemostatic drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no causal relationship between hemophilia A and HSP, but both diseases can cause bleeding. This child's hematochezia was caused by HSP, but hemophilia could not be ignored during the treatment. Our case report adds to the present body of knowledge about the treatment of HSP associated hematochezia in a child with hemophilia A.

IgA Vasculitis with scrotal involvement - a rare presentation in adults

IgA vasculitis (IgAV) is a small-vessel vasculitis common in children but rare in adults. It is usually an auto-limited disease in children but has a more severe course and worse prognosis in adults. The classical manifestations are non-thrombocytopenic purpura, arthralgias, gastrointestinal involvement and renal involvement. Herein we report a case of a 39-year-old man with a rash of the lower limbs associated with testicular and lower abdominal pain. The initial study revealed increased inflammatory biomarkers and enlarged left testis with bilateral ischemic areas on doppler ultrasound. A cutaneous biopsy later revealed leukocytoclastic vasculitis, confirming the diagnosis of IgAV with scrotal involvement. The patient started prednisolone, with improvement in the first week and sustained remission after two years of follow-up. This case report describes an adult with IgAV and scrotal involvement, which is rarely reported in adults and appears to be different from the one in children. The prevalence of scrotal involvement is presumably underestimated. In all men with IgAV, a scrotal examination should be performed and ultrasonography accordingly since it affects the treatment and follow-up. Recommendations for IgAV diagnosis and treatment in adults are still lacking and more research is needed.

IgA Vasculitis Following COVID-19 Vaccination: A French Multicenter Case Series Including 12 Patients

OBJECTIVE

The worldwide coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination campaign triggered several autoimmune diseases. We hereby aimed to describe IgA vasculitis (IgAV) following COVID-19 vaccination.

METHODS

We conducted a national, multicenter, retrospective study in France of new-onset adult IgAV diagnosis following COVID-19 vaccination.

RESULTS

In total, 12 patients with new-onset IgAV were included. Of these, 5 (41.7%) were women, and the median age was 52.5 (IQR 30.75-60.5) years. Of the 12 patients, 10 had received an mRNA vaccine and 2 had received a viral vector vaccine. The median time from vaccination to onset of symptoms was 11.5 (IQR 4.25-21.25) days. Vasculitis occurred after the first vaccine dose in most patients (n = 8). All patients had skin involvement, with skin necrosis in 4 patients. In total, 7 patients had joint involvement and 2 had arthritis. A total of 4 patients had nonsevere gastrointestinal involvement and 2 had nonsevere renal involvement. The median C-reactive protein level was 26 (IQR 10-66.75) mg/L, the median creatininemia level was 72 (IQR 65-81) μmol/L, and 1 patient had an estimated glomerular filtration rate of less than 60 mL/min at management. All patients received treatment, including 9 patients (75%) who received glucocorticoids. In total, 5 patients received a vaccine dose after developing IgAV, 1 of whom experienced a minor cutaneous relapse.

CONCLUSION

The baseline presentation of IgAV following COVID-19 vaccination was mild to moderate, and outcomes were favorable. Thus, a complete COVID-19 vaccination regimen should be completed in this population. Of note, a fortuitous link cannot be ruled out, requiring a worldwide pharmacovigilance search to confirm these findings.

Immunoglobulin A vasculitis presenting as bilateral upper eyelid erythema: A case report and review of literature

Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV) is the most common vasculitis of childhood characterized by petechial or purpuric rash, abdominal pain, arthralgia, and renal involvement. Ophthalmic manifestations of IgAV are uncommon. Herein, we describe a case of bilateral upper eyelid erythema presenting in a 6-year-old male, leading to a diagnosis of IgAV.

Hemoperfusion and intravenous immunoglobulins for refractory gastrointestinal involvement in pediatric Henoch-Schönlein purpura: a single-center retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) with refractory gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms is always difficult to handle because of its resistance to supportive therapies and glucocorticoid. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of hemoperfusion (HP) and intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) therapies in this population.

METHODS

Sixty-four HSP patients with refractory GI involvement (R-GI group) and 64 cases with mild GI symptoms (control group) were retrospectively analyzed in our center from March 2016 to October 2019. In R-GI group, 42 cases (subgroup A) were treated with IVIG and steroid, 13 cases (subgroup B) used HP and steroid, 9 cases (subgroup C) executed a combination of IVIG, HP and steroid. Demographic characteristics, clinical features, laboratory indexes and treatment outcomes were recorded. t-test, One-way ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U test, and multivariate logistic regression were used in comparing differences among subgroups and predicting independent risk factors.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, R-GI cases experienced higher risk of renal involvement (P = 0.000), more steroid exposure (P = 0.000), six times expenses (P = 0.000) and 2.3 times length of hospitalization (P = 0.000). The independent risk factors of R-GI group were elevated neutrophils (OR 1.250 [95% CI 1.130-1.383]) and the percentage of B lymphocytes (OR 1.100 [95% CI 1.026-1.179]) as well as decreased IgG (OR 0.847 [95% CI 0.732-0.98]). In R-GI group, increased age (OR 1.039 [95% CI 1.016-1.062]) and IgM (OR 5.994 [95% CI 1.403-27.611]) were verified to be risk factors of HSP nephritis. All three subgroups could alleviate the symptoms effectively. Compared with those in subgroup A, patients in subgroup B were elder (P = 0.004), had less relapse (P = 0.002), steroid exposure (P = 0.033) and expenses (P = 0.031), more significant decrease of WBC (P = 0.026) after treatment.

CONCLUSION

The HSP with refractory GI involvement had much higher risk of medical burden and renal involvement. Both IVIG and HP therapies could ameliorate refractory GI symptoms efficiently. HP therapy tended to reduce the relapse, costs and steroid exposure in its audiences who were cooperated and with stable hemodynamics, while IVIG had better use in younger children.

Adjunctive treatment with infliximab in pediatric immunoglobulin A (IgA) vasculitis: A case report

Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV) is the most common childhood vasculitis affecting small vessels. No clear recommendations are available for severe pediatric cases, and until now, anti-TNF agents have had a limited role in IgAV management. In this report, we describe a pediatric case of severe IgAV, successfully treated with combined therapy including the anti-TNF, infliximab.

Serum levels of degraded monosaccharides in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura

OBJECTIVES

To examine the serum levels of degraded monosaccharides in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) and to study the clinical significance of degraded monosaccharides in HSP.

METHODS

A prospective analysis was performed on 132 children who were diagnosed with HSP from September 2019 to January 2022, and 132 healthy children were enrolled as the control group. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the content of degraded monosaccharides in serum in both groups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the efficiency of degraded monosaccharides for the diagnosis of HSP.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the HSP group had significantly higher serum levels of mannose, glucosamine, aminogalactose, and galactose (P<0.001). The four degraded monosaccharides had an area under the ROC curve of 0.919, 0.913, 0.832, and 0.932 respectively for the diagnosis of HSP (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Children with HSP have higher serum levels of mannose, glucosamine, aminogalactose, and galactose than the healthy population. The levels of degraded monosaccharides may have an important value for the diagnosis of HSP.

Clinical analysis of 99 children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura complicated with overt gastrointestinal bleeding

OBJECTIVE

To analyze and summarize the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) complicated by overt gastrointestinal bleeding (GI bleeding) for achieving early identification, prevention, and treatment in terms of severe GI bleeding.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on children with HSP complicated by overt GI bleeding who were admitted to the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Beijing Children's Hospital from January 2017 to December 2019. According to the severity of GI bleeding, the patients were divided into mild bleeding group (61 cases) and moderate and severe bleeding group (38 cases). Inflammatory parameters, coagulation function, GI ultrasound findings, and clinical features were compared. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the related variables affecting the severity of GI bleeding, and the ROC curve was used to determine the variable test efficacy.

RESULTS

Onset in summer, wide distribution of skin rash with facial involvement, the elevation of D-dimer and high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) had significant effects on the severity of GI bleeding. ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off points of NLR and D-dimer for predicting severe GI bleeding in children with HSP were 10.56 and 0.89 mg/L, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Facial rash may be a warning sign of GI bleeding. Enhanced monitoring of NLR and D-dimer is helpful for early recognition of GI bleeding as well as assessment of severity.

Development and validation of a nomogram to predict recurrence in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura

BACKGROUND

To screen risk factors for the recurrence in children with Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP) and to develop and validate a nomogram for recurrence in children with HSP.

METHODS

During September 2019 and September 2021, 212 children with HSP were selected in this study. The children were divided into two sets in a proportion of 7:3 using R language, with the first group as the training sets and the second as the internal validation sets. The related variables were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, and a nomogram for predicting the recurrence in HSP children was established. The nomogram was evaluated by ROC curve, calibration curve and decision curve, and 1000 times bootstrap resampling method was used to verify the model internally.

RESULTS

Univariate and multivariate regression analyses identified respiratory infection, without preventive medication and diet restriction, age, allergen positive and abnormal urine routine as risk factors for the recurrence in children with HSP. Those risk factors were used to construct a predictive nomogram. The calibration curves revealed excellent accuracy of the predictive nomogram model, internally and externally.

CONCLUSIONS

We constructed and validated a clinical nomogram to predict the recurrence in children with HSP. We confirmed that respiratory tract infection, without preventive medication and diet restriction, age, allergen positive and abnormal urine routine were independent recurrence risk factors. This nomogram had a good performance in clinical decision-making.

IgA vasculitis with underlying monoclonal IgA gammopathy: innovative therapeutic approach targeting plasma cells. A case series

OBJECTIVE

There is currently no evidence of the possible benefit of plasma cell-targeting therapies (PCTT) in immunoglobulin A (IgA) monoclonal gammopathy (MG) associated with IgA vasculitis (IgAV). We report the outcome of different PCTT regimens in a cohort of MG-IgAV.

METHODS

We used a French network to retrospectively describe the outcome of MG-IgAV patients treated with PCTT.

RESULTS

Five patients were included (mean age 65 years). All patients had severe baseline presentation including extensive necrotic purpura (n = 5), gastrointestinal involvement (n = 2), peripheral neuropathies (n = 2), and glomerulonephritis (n = 1). Two patients had IgA indolent multiple myeloma and three had IgA "MG of undetermined significance." Monotypic IgA deposition in the skin vessels wall was highlighted using an immunofluorescence assay. Cases of vasculitis in three patients (n = 3) were refractory to multiple line therapies, including cyclophosphamide (n = 3) or rituximab. Finally, PCTT including bortezomib plus cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone, bortezomib plus melphalan and prednisone, or bortezomib plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone were proposed, allowing complete remission in 4/5 patients without major adverse drug events.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that the MG-IgAV phenotype might be distinctive of usual IgAV (severe and refractory to conventional immunosuppressive regimens) and supports the benefit of PCTT. This study sheds new light on the overall biology of IgAV, strengthening the pathogenic role of the monoclonal IgA component in IgAV.

Serum immunoglobulin profiles in Chinese children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura

OBJECTIVE

The present study focuses on the associations of serum immunoglobulin with disease activity, relapse/recurrence and renal involvement in Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) children.

METHODS

1683 Chinese children with HSP were recruited from January 2015 to January 2021. Laboratory data of blood samples and urine tests were collected. Renal biopsy was performed by the percutaneous technique. Patients' histories associated with HSP onset were obtained by interviews and questionnaires.

RESULTS

(1) IgA and IgE were dramatically elevated in HSP patients as compared with their normal values, and subject to a 1.75-3.09 fold and a 1.97-2.61 fold increase, respectively. (2) No significant correlation of the disease activity with IgA and IgE was determined, respectively. (3) The serum IgA levels were significantly lower in patients with relapse/recurrence than that in patients without relapse/recurrence, which may be attributed to the transmission of IgA-mediated immune complexes from blood to vessel walls. (4) No significant correlation was found between serum IgA, IgE levels and the pathological classification.

CONCLUSIONS

HSP children have marked disorders of serum immunoglobulin profiles, characterized by significant increases in IgA and IgE. The detection of serum IgA may be applicable to predict relapse/recurrence of HSP, whereas not associated with disease activity and renal involvement.

Genome-wide association study of 7661 Chinese Han individuals and fine-mapping major histocompatibility complex identifies HLA-DRB1 as associated with IgA vasculitis

Background

Immunoglobulin‐A vasculitis (IgAV) is an immune‐related systemic vasculitis with an unclear etiology. Genetic predisposition is now considered to be closely associated with the development of the disease, and it is essential to reveal the relationship between them. To explore the role of heredity in the disease, we performed a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) of 496 IgAV cases and 7165 controls using an Illumina Infinium Global Screening Array chip.

Methods

In the first stage of analysis, a significant correlation between the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and IgAV was observed. Subsequently, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) analysis was conducted using a new large‐scale Han‐MHC reference panel. Fine mapping of IgAV risk in the MHC region indicated that two amino acid positions, 120 and 11, of HLA‐DRB1 and three potential HLA alleles (HLA‐DRB1∗04, HLA‐DRB1∗16, and HLA‐DRB1∗16:02) were significantly associated.

Results

Further stepwise conditional analysis demonstrated that 3 amino acid positions (120, 26, 96) of HLA‐DRB1 and 6 HLA‐DRB1 alleles (HLA‐DRB1*04, HLA‐DRB1*16, HLA‐DRB1*01, HLA‐DRB1*12:02, HLA‐DRB1*10, and HLA‐DRB1*15:02) were independent signals. Among them, the most significant signal was HLA‐DRB1 amino acid Ser120 (OR = 1.59, p = 3.19 × 10⁻⁸); no independent signal in the MHC region except for HLA‐DRB1 was found.

Conclusions

Our study confirms that the pathogenesis of IgAV has a genetic component and that HLA‐DRB1 is strongly associated with susceptibility to IgAV.

IgA vasculitis with nephritis: update of pathogenesis with clinical implications

IgA vasculitis with nephritis (IgAVN) shares many pathogenetic features with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). The purpose of this review is to describe our current understanding of the pathogenesis of pediatric IgAVN, particularly as it relates to the four-hit hypothesis for IgAN. These individual steps, i.e., hits, in the pathogenesis of IgAN are (1) elevated production of IgA1 glycoforms with some O-glycans deficient in galactose (galactose-deficient IgA1; Gd-IgA1), (2) generation of circulating IgG autoantibodies specific for Gd-IgA1, (3) formation of pathogenic circulating Gd-IgA1-containing immune complexes, and (4) kidney deposition of the Gd-IgA1-IgG immune complexes from the circulation and induction of glomerular injury. Evidence supporting the four-hit hypothesis in the pathogenesis of pediatric IgAVN is detailed. The genetics, pediatric outcomes, and kidney histopathologic features and the impact of these findings on future treatment and potential biomarkers are discussed. In summary, the evidence points to the critical roles of Gd-IgA1-IgG immune complexes and complement activation in the pathogenesis of IgAVN. Future studies are needed to characterize the features of the immune and autoimmune responses that enable progression of IgA vasculitis to IgAVN.

Clinical phenotype and cytokine profile of adult IgA vasculitis with joint involvement

OBJECTIVE

Joint involvement can be observed during the course of adult IgA vasculitis (IgAV). However, clinical picture, prognosis, or pathophysiological data associated with this condition have been overlooked. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and outcome of IgAV patients with joint involvement and look to a specific cytokine profile.

METHODS

We analyzed clinical and biological data from a nationwide study that included adult IgAV patients. Presentation and outcomes of patients with or without joint involvement were compared at baseline and during follow-up. Plasma cytokine measurements of IgAV patients included in a prospective study were also analyzed using multiplex assays.

RESULTS

Among 260 patients, 62% had joint involvement. Among them, rheumatological manifestations included arthralgia (100%) or arthritis (16%), mostly involving the knees and ankles. In multivariate analysis, patients with joint involvement, compared to those without, were younger (p = 0.002; OR 0.87; 95% CI 0.80-0.95) and showed more frequent gastrointestinal tract involvement (p = 0.012; OR = 2.08; 95% CI 1.18-3.67). However, no difference in terms of clinical response, relapse, end-stage renal disease, or death was observed between groups. Among 13 cytokines measured, plasma interleukin (IL)-1β level was higher in patients with joint involvement compared to those without (mean ± SEM IL-1β, 3.5 ± 1.2 vs. 0.47 ± 0.1 pg/ml; p = 0.024) or healthy controls (vs. 1.2 ± 0.5 pg/ml; p = 0.076).

CONCLUSION

Joint involvement is frequent in adult IgAV and is associated with more frequent gastrointestinal involvement. Increased plasma IL-1β levels raise the question of targeting this cytokine in patients with chronic and/or refractory joint involvement. Key Points • Joint involvement in adult IgAV is a frequent manifestation. • Joint involvement is associated with more frequent gastrointestinal manifestations. • Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) might orchestrate joint inflammation in adult IgAV. • IL-1β might be a therapeutic target in patients with chronic and/or refractory joint involvement.

Pathology findings in pediatric patients with COVID-19 and kidney dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is seen in one-fifth of pediatric patients with COVID-19 requiring hospital admission, and is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and residual kidney impairment. The majority of kidney pathology data in patients with COVID-19 is derived from adult case series and there is an overall lack of histologic data for most pediatric patients with COVID-19.

METHODS

We assembled a multi-institutional cohort of five unvaccinated pediatric patients with COVID-19 and associated kidney dysfunction with available histology.

RESULTS

Three complex patients with current or prior SARS-CoV-2 infection had multifactorial thrombotic microangiopathy with clinical features of hemolytic uremic syndrome (in two) or disseminated intravascular coagulation (in one); one died and another developed chronic kidney disease stage 5. Two with recently preceding SARS-CoV-2 infection presented with nephrotic syndrome; one had IgA vasculitis and one had minimal change disease. Within a short follow-up time, none has returned to baseline kidney function.

CONCLUSION

Although uncommon, COVID-19-associated kidney injury can have significant morbidity in the unvaccinated pediatric and adolescent population. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

To biopsy or not to biopsy: Henoch-Schönlein nephritis in children, a 5-year follow-up study

BACKGROUND

The prognosis of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP), IgA vasculitis, depends on kidney involvement. There is no consensus on the initiation of treatment for HSP nephritis (HSPN). Some centres start treatment before performing a kidney biopsy (KB) while in others, treatment is dictated by the importance of the clinical, biological and histological signs. The aim of this study was to evaluate which of these two approaches is associated with a better kidney outcome at 5-year follow-up.

METHODS

This multicentre, retrospective, nonrandomised study included children treated for HSPN between 2006 and 2010 in a French paediatric nephrology unit. One group had an early KB at diagnosis (before starting treatment or in the 15 following days). In the second group, initial treatment was decided without performing a KB.

RESULTS

Among the 107 children included, 63.5% had an early KB at diagnosis. Follow-up at 5 years was completed in 44 children (28 KB at diagnosis, 16 no KB at diagnosis). Median urine protein/creatinine at 5 years was 2.5 mg/mmol in the early biopsy diagnosis group and 12.5 mg/mmol in the non-biopsy group. An antiproteinuric treatment was given, at 5 years, to 35.7% of the early biopsy at diagnosis children and in 62.5% of the non-biopsied children.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with early KB at diagnosis seem to have a better renal outcome at 5 years compared to those without an early biopsy at diagnosis or biopsied later. However, this is a small patient cohort and data are missing. Further work is needed to build consensual guidelines on the management of HSPN in children.

Consensus evidence-based recommendations for treat-to-target management of immunoglobulin A vasculitis

IgA vasculitis (IgAV), formerly known as Henoch-Schönlein purpura, is the most common cause of systemic vasculitis in childhood. Given its potential life-threatening systemic complications, early and accurate diagnosis as well as management of IgAV represent a major challenge for health care professionals. This study was carried out to attain an evidence-based expert consensus on a treat-to-target management approach for IgAV using Delphi technique. The preliminary scientific committee identified a total of 16 key clinical questions according to the patient, intervention, comparison, and outcomes (PICO) approach. An evidence-based, systematic, literature review was conducted to compile evidence for the IgAV management. The core leadership team identified researchers and clinicians with expertise in IgAV management in Egypt upon which experts were gathered from different governorates and health centers across Egypt. Delphi process was implemented (two rounds) to reach a consensus. An online questionnaire was sent to expert panel (n = 26) who participated in the two rounds. After completing round 2, a total of 20 recommendation items, categorized into two sections were obtained. Agreement with the recommendations (rank 7-9) ranged from 91.7-100%. Consensus was reached (i.e. ⩾75% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed) on the wording of all the 20 clinical standards identified by the scientific committee. Algorithms for the diagnosis and management have been suggested. This was an expert, consensus recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of IgAV and IgA vasculitic nephritis, based on best available evidence and expert opinion. The guideline presented a strategy of care with a pathway to achieve a state of remission as early as possible.

Plain Language Summary

Given its potential life-threatening systemic complications, early and accurate diagnosis of immunoglobulin A vasculitis represents a major challenge for health care professionals. This work provided cornerstone principles for the management of the condition. Adopting PICO approach and implementing Delphi process a consensus was reached on evidence-based treat-to-target treatment recommendations. This will endorse enhancement and consistency of care of this cohort of patients in standard practice.

Prognostic Value of C4d Immunolabelling in Adult Patients With IgA Vasculitis

Background and Objectives: Glomerular C4d deposits are associated the severity and outcomes of IgA nephropathy. Whether this holds true in immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV) is not known. The main objective of the study was to analyze the prognostic value of glomerular C4d immunolabelling on kidney impairment in adults with IgAV.

Design, Setting, Participants, Measurements: This retrospective cohort study included 120 adults with IgAV and a kidney biopsy performed between 1995 and 2018 in two French university hospital centers. All paraffin-embedded biopsies were reassessed according to Oxford classification. Immunofluorescence for C4d was performed in all cases. For analysis, patients were grouped according to positivity for C4d in the glomerular area. The main outcome was a composite endpoint of 50% increase in 24 h-proteinuria, or eGFR decrease by 50%, or kidney replacement therapy.

Results: The median follow-up was 28.3 months. Twenty-three patients met the composite endpoint, 12 for kidney replacement therapy, 6 for an eGFR decrease >50% and 5 for a >50% increase in proteinuria. At time of biopsy, the median proteinuria was 1.9 g/24 h and the median eGFR 73.5 mL/min/1.73 m². Among the 102 patients evaluable for C4d, 24 were positive on >30% glomeruli, mainly with a parieto-mesangial pattern. In this group, the initial proteinuria was more frequently nephrotic than in the C4d– group (60% vs. 33%, P = 0.039). Mesangial hypercellularity was more frequent in the C4d+ group (42% vs. 13%; P = 0.006) whereas macroscopic hematuria was more frequent in the C4d– group (18% vs. 0%; P = 0.03). After a median follow-up of 28 months, kidney survival did not differ according to C4d status.

Conclusion: In a population of adult IgAV patients, glomerular positivity for C4d was associated with the severity of the kidney disease at presentation, but not with subsequent renal function deterioration.

Hemorrhagic bullous IgA vasculitis (Schönlein-Henoch purpura), does it have a worse prognosis?

Haemorrhagic bullous form of IgA vasculitis (IgAV), or Schönlein-Henoch purpura, is an unusual presentation of the disease in paediatric patients (<2%). Blistering eruptions can sometimes be very striking, leading to hospital admissions and administration of high-dose steroids and even immunosuppressants. Review of the literature, however, does not suggest that this clinical form carries a worse prognosis than the other forms of IgAV. In fact, the prognosis of the disease depends on the organic involvement. We present the case of a 5-year-old girl that is very representative. She developed palpable purpura and four days later the skin lesions evolved into blistering lesions. She did not receive any anti-inflammatory nor immunosuppressive treatment and the lesions spontaneously subsided within 14 days. She did not develop any extracutaneous nor systemic involvement.

Association of kidney biopsy findings with short- and medium-term outcomes in children with moderate-to-severe IgA vasculitis nephritis

Assessing the initial severity of immunoglobulin A vasculitis nephritis (IgAV-N) is important due to its determining effect on kidney management and outcomes. This paper describes a multicentre paediatric cohort of IgAV-N patients and discusses relationships among clinical presentation, histological features, and kidney outcome. We retrospectively studied a cohort of 170 children with biopsy-proven IgAV-N, diagnosed between 2007 and 2017. One-quarter of the cohort (27%) presented with initial nephrotic syndrome (NS). Kidney biopsy revealed International Study of Kidney Disease (ISKDC) grade II or grade III in 83% of cases. Endocapillary proliferation was observed in 73% of patients, and chronic lesions were observed in 25%. Data analysis showed a significant association between NS at onset and endocapillary proliferation and cellular crescents. After a median follow-up of 21 months (IQR 12-39), 30% of patients had persistent proteinuria or decreased eGFR. At the end of follow-up, kidney impairment was more often observed in patients with NS at onset and those with cellular crescents and chronic lesions on initial kidney biopsy.Conclusion: This study highlights the relationship between the clinical and histological presentation of IgAV-N and the factors that affect kidney outcome. The ISKDC classification may be improved by including lesions that are more discriminating for disease severity and prognosis. What is Known: • Nephrotic syndrome (NS) or kidney failure at diagnosis and cellular crescents in more than 50% of the glomeruli are recognized as risk factors for poor kidney outcome in immunoglobulin A vasculitis nephritis (IgAV-N). • The reference histological classification of the International Study of Kidney Disease in Children (ISKDC) is primarily based on the presence and number of affected glomeruli (mesangial proliferation, cellular crescents). The updated Oxford classification, which emphasizes tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis, is also used to group pathological features of IgAV-N. Both classifications have limitations. What is New: • Medical treatment should not be postponed in patients with IgAV-N and NS until after biopsy, as NS at diagnosis is associated with initial histological severity and poorer kidney outcome. This proposal needs to be verified in further studies. • Endocapillary proliferation is associated with the initial severity of IgAV-N at diagnosis, while chronic glomerular changes and interstitial fibrosis are associated with poorer short- and medium-term kidney outcomes.

Effect of animal protein diet on the prognosis of children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura

OBJECTIVES

To study the association of animal protein diet with the recurrence of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP)/skin rash and the risk factors for recurrence of HSP.

METHODS

A prospective analysis was performed for 121 children with HSP who were admitted to the Beijing Children's Hospital from October to December 2020. The children were given the doctor's advice of the same diet (animal protein diet could be added after 1 week without new-onset skin rash). Follow-up was performed at the outpatient service for half a year. According to the presence or absence of animal protein intake, the children were divided into an observation group with 65 children and a control group with 56 children. The times of skin rash recurrence, the incidence of HSP recurrence, and the incidence of kidney injury were compared between the two groups. According to the presence or absence of recurrence, the children were divided into a recurrence group with 32 children and a non-recurrence group with 89 children. A questionnaire on food frequency was used to record the daily intake of animal protein in the two groups. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for recurrence of HSP in children.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the observation and control groups in the times of skin rash recurrence, the incidence rate of HSP recurrence, and the incidence rate of kidney injury (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the daily intake of animal protein between the recurrence and non-recurrence groups (P>0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that presence of kidney injury at initial onset, respiratory infection after cure for the first time, and lack of exercise control after cure for the first time were independent risk factors for the recurrence of HSP in children (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

There is no significant association between animal protein diet and the recurrence of HSP or skin rash. Timely treatment of kidney injury, avoidance of infection after cure, and limitation of strenuous exercise may help to reduce the recurrence rate of HSP in children. Citation.

A Rare Case of Henoch-Schönlein Purpura Following a COVID-19 Vaccine-Case Report

In the COVID-19 pandemic era, anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is considered to be the most efficient way to overtake the COVID-19 scourge. Like all medicines, vaccines are not devoid of risks and can in rare cases cause some various side effects. The objective of this case report is to highlight this unusual presentation of Henoch-Schönlein purpura following an anti-COVID-19 vaccination in a 62-year-old adult. The 62-year-old patient admitted to the emergency room for a petechial purpuric rash, sloping, occurring within hours, involving both legs and ascending. The clinical signs also included polyarthralgia and hematuria. Reported in the history the notion of an anti-COVID-19 vaccination 8 days prior to the onset of symptomatology. In the case of our patient, we retain the diagnosis of rheumatoid purpura based on the EULAR/PRINTO/PReS diagnostic criteria. Corticosteroid therapy (prednisone) was started, resulting to a rapid regression of clinical and laboratory symptoms, few days after the treatment. Patient was asymptomatic on subsequent visits. The low number of published cases of post-vaccine vasculitis does not question the safety of vaccines, but knowledge of such complications deserves to be known in order to avoid new immunizations that could have more serious consequences, and to avoid aggravating or reactivating a pre-existing vasculitis.

Henoch-Schönlein purpura: Another COVID-19 complication

Whether affecting children or adults, SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) can have multi-organ involvement mediated by an inflammatory cascade. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is one of the key components of the inflammatory cascade that can lead to endothelial injury and inflammation. IgA vasculitis or Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) has been rarely reported in the context of COVID-19. In this report, we highlight a case of HSP occurring 2 days after diagnosis of COVID-19 in a 16-year-old boy, who presented with palpable purpura of the lower extremities and buttocks, diffuse abdominal pain, hemoptysis, and hematochezia. He was treated with oral prednisolone with rapid clinical improvement.

Clinical effect of alfacalcidol in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura: a prospective randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

To study the effects of alfacalcidol on serum 25-(OH)D₃ level, cellular immune function, and inflammatory factors in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP).

METHODS

A total of 200 children with HSP were prospectively enrolled from June 2018 to June 2020. According to the random number table method, they were divided into an observation group and a control group (n=100 each). The control group was treated with vitamin C, rutin tablets, dipyridamole, cimetidine, calcium supplements, and glucocorticoids. In addition to the treatment for the control group, the observation group received alfacalcidol capsules (0.25 μg/d) orally before bed for 4 weeks. The two groups were compared in terms of the level of 25-(OH)D₃, the percentages of T lymphocyte subsets (CD3⁺, CD4⁺, and CD8⁺) and NK cells, and the levels of inflammatory factors, interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-17 (IL-17), interleukin-21 (IL-21), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), before treatment and after 4 weeks of treatment. The children were followed up for 6 months to determine the recurrence rate and the incidence of renal damage.

RESULTS

After treatment, the observation group showed a significantly higher serum 25-(OH)D₃ level, significantly higher percentages of CD3⁺T cells, CD4⁺T cells, and NK cells, and significantly lower levels of IL-6, IL-17, IL-21, and TNF-α compared with the control group (P<0.05). After 6 months of follow-up, the recurrence rate and the incidence of renal damage in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Alfacalcidol can increase the serum 25-(OH)D₃ level, improve cellular immune function, decrease inflammatory factor levels, and reduce recurrence and renal damage in children with HSP.

Effect and safety evaluation of tacrolimus and tripterygium glycosides combined therapy in treatment of Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis

OBJECTIVE

Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis has become a significant threat to children's health. Traditional combined therapy of glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide leads to severe toxicity and complications. Therefore, identifying a feasible and effective strategy with low side-effects for the treatment of Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis is of great significance.

METHODS

A randomized, controlled trial was carried out. A total of 279 children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis were recruited and randomly divided into three groups: control group (receiving the current standard therapy), TA group (receiving tacrolimus) and TA + tripterygium glycosides group (receiving tacrolimus + tripterygium treatment). The total duration of the trial was 6 months, and the duration of follow-up observation was 9 months.

RESULTS

Various therapies showed similar therapeutic effects in the third and sixth months. The relief of Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis symptoms caused by TA + tripterygium glycosides was slower than the TA and control groups. The incidence of adverse reactions in the TA + tripterygium glycosides group was lower in the control and TA groups. The final treatment effect of the experimental groups was better than the control group. The recurrence rate in the TA + tripterygium glycosides group was also significantly lower.

CONCLUSION

Tacrolimus and tripterygium glycosides combined therapy had better effects and safety for long-term treatment of Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis.

Risk factors for intussusception in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura: A case-control study

BACKGROUND

The etiology of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) with intussusception remains undefined.

AIM

To investigate the risk factors for intussusception in children with HSP and gastrointestinal (GI) involvement.

METHODS

Sixty children with HSP and concomitant intussusception admitted to the Beijing Children’s Hospital of Capital Medical University between January 2006 and December 2018 were enrolled in this study. One hundred pediatric patients with HSP and GI involvement but without intussusception, admitted to the same hospital during the same period, were randomly selected as a control group. The baseline clinical characteristics of all patients, including sex, age of onset, duration of disease, clinical manifestations, laboratory test results, and treatments provided, were assessed. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify possible risk factors.

RESULTS

The 60 children in the intussusception group comprised 27 girls (45%) and 33 boys (55%) and the 100 children in the non-intussusception group comprised 62 girls (62%) and 38 boys (38%). The median age of all patients were 6 years and 5 mo. Univariate and multiple regression analyses revealed age at onset, not receiving glucocorticoid therapy within 72 h of emergence of GI symptoms, hematochezia, and D-dimer levels as independent risk factors for intussusception in children with HSP (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The four independent risk factors for intussusception in pediatric HSP with GI involvement would be a reference for early prevention and treatment of this potentially fatal disease.

IgA Vasculitis in Adults: a Rare yet Challenging Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

IgA vasculitis (IgAV) is a rare and poorly understood systemic vasculitis in adults. Its diagnosis and treatment remain a challenge. Herein, we review the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, management, and prognosis of IgAV in adults.

RECENT FINDINGS

The clinical course of IgAV in adults appears to be different from pediatric IgAV, especially due to its higher risk of evolving into end-stage renal disease. Rising awareness and interest in adult-onset IgA vasculitis has resulted in recent increasing number of publications on different treatment experiences. However, there is still controversy over the role of glucocorticoid (GC) and different immunosuppressive therapies such as cyclophosphamide, rituximab, and mychophenolate mofetil for more severe IgAV. Data regarding potential benefits of targeting the mucosal immune system, toll-like receptors, complements, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of IgA nephropathy are emerging. High quality evidence or guidelines in the treatment of severe IgAV are lacking and there is still a great need for controlled trials.

Case of Gut Necrosis in Adult-Onset Immunoglobulin A Vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein Purpura)

Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV), formerly known as Henoch-Schönlein purpura, is an immune-mediated small vessel vasculitis characterized by palpable purpura, arthralgia, abdominal pain, and renal disease. It is primarily a childhood disease and usually resolves spontaneously with supportive therapy. Treatment of IgAV in adults is controversial with no clearly established guidelines. We report a rare case of IgAV in an adult male who developed gut necrosis and perforation while receiving glucocorticoid therapy for treatment of acute glomerulonephritis. A 44-year-old male was admitted with joint pain, leg swelling, mild abdominal pain, and a diffuse rash. Laboratory values revealed acute kidney injury with significant proteinuria and hematuria. The patient was started on glucocorticoid therapy for suspected IgAV nephritis, which was confirmed by kidney biopsy. Several days later, he complained of worsening abdominal pain. Imaging demonstrated bowel ischemia and perforation requiring multiple abdominal surgeries. The patient was critically ill in the intensive care unit with worsening renal failure requiring dialysis. He was discharged a month later after gradual recovery with stable but moderately impaired kidney function. IgAV is less common in adults; however, the disease is more severe with a higher risk of long-term complications. Adult patients with renal involvement may benefit from glucocorticoid therapy in preventing progression to end-stage renal disease. However, glucocorticoids may mask the symptoms of abdominal complications like gut necrosis and perforation causing delay in diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, vigilance to detect early signs of gut ischemia is imperative when treating an adult case of IgAV nephritis with glucocorticoids.

Streptococcal infection in childhood Henoch-Schönlein purpura: a 5-year retrospective study from a single tertiary medical center in China, 2015-2019

BACKGROUND

The present study focuses on the associations of streptococcal infection with the clinical phenotypes, relapse/recurrence and renal involvement in Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) children.

METHODS

Two thousand seventy-four Chinese children with HSP were recruited from January 2015 to December 2019. Patients' histories associated with HSP onset were obtained by interviews and questionnaires. Laboratory data of urine tests, blood sample and infectious agents were collected. Renal biopsy was performed by the percutaneous technique.

RESULTS

(1) Streptococcal infection was identified in 393 (18.9%) HSP patients, and served as the most frequent infectious trigger. (2) Among the 393 cases with streptococcal infection, 43.0% of them had arthritis/arthralgia, 32.1% had abdominal pain and 29.3% had renal involvement. (3) 26.1% of HSP patients relapsed or recurred more than 1 time within a 5-year observational period, and the relapse/recurrence rate in streptococcal infectious group was subjected to a 0.4-fold decrease as compared with the non-infectious group. (4) No significant differences in renal pathological damage were identified among the streptococcal infectious group, the other infectious group and the non-infectious group.

CONCLUSIONS

Streptococcal infection is the most frequent trigger for childhood HSP and does not aggravate renal pathological damage; the possible elimination of streptococcal infection helps relieve the relapse/recurrence of HSP.

[Schönlein-Henoch purpura - single-center, retrospective analysis of the diagnostic process, treatment and course in adults]

Henoch-Schönlein-purpura (HSP) is a type of systemic vasculitis characterized by increased serum levels of IgA and the deposition of immune complexes mainly composed of IgA1. The cause of this disease has not yet been known. HSP mainly affects the pediatric population. In adults it is associated with a more aggressive course. A characteristic symptom of most patients is a petechial rash, often coexisting with joint pain and abdominal pain.

AIM

The aim of the study was to present the clinical picture and therapeutic possibilities of adult patients diagnosed with HSP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was carried out in 8 adult patients with HSP, including 3 women and 5 men. The course of the disease, the degree of kidney damage and the effectiveness of the treatment were analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean value of nitrogen retention indexes in the studied group of patients was increased (creatinine: 1.47 ± 0.3 mg/dl, urea: 54.45 ± 9.02 mg/dl), no significant deviations were found in blood counts. In the general urine examination, hematuria was noted in 7 of 8 patients, proteinuria in 6 patients. Daily proteinuria was significantly increased (2498 ± 1031.69 mg/24h). 7 out of 8 patients had a diagnostic kidney biopsy. In 6 patients, the immunomorphological picture indicated glomerulonephritis in the course of IgA nephropathy. Six (75%) patients received immunosuppressive treatment, two (25%) conservative treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The one-center retrospective one-year analysis of patients diagnosed with HSP shows that IgA-related vasculitis is a disease with a varied course, often causing diagnostic as well as therapeutic difficulties.

Characteristics of immune function in the acute phase of Henoch-Schönlein purpura

BACKGROUND

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is still diagnosed using symptoms and signs together with some histopathological findings. The purpose of this study was to summarize the characteristics and roles of cellular and humoral immunity in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP).

METHODS

A total of 502 cases of patients with acute HSP were diagnosed and observed. The levels of T lymphocyte subsets, natural killer cells (NK cells), and B cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), immunoglobulin A (IgA), and complement C3 (C₃) and complement C4 (C₄) levels were detected by velocity scatter turbidimetry.

RESULTS

Compared with the healthy groups, the levels of cluster of differentiation 3 (CD₃), cluster of differentiation 4 (CD₄), B cells, and NK cells and ratio of CD₄/CD₈ in patients with HSP were decreased (P < 0.05). The levels of IgG, IgA, IgM, and C₃ were increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the Kawasaki disease (KD) group, the levels of CD₃, CD₄, CD₈, B cells, NK cells, and IgA in patients with HSP were increased (P < 0.05), and the ratio of CD₄/CD₈ and levels of IgM, C₃, and C₄ was decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the pneumonia group, the levels of CD₃, CD₄, B cells, and IgA in patients with HSP were increased (P < 0.05), and the ratio of CD₄/CD₈ and levels of IgM and C₄ was decreased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Cellular immunity and humoral immunity were all involved in the pathogenesis of HSP. The decline of NK cells, B lymphocyte cells, CD₃, CD₄ the increased secretion of immunoglobulin, and the abnormal appearance of IgA and C₃ may exist during the progression. It may indicate a worse prognosis and increasing the risk of dedifferentiation. Cellular immunity was lower, which lead to increased production of inflammatory mediators and increased secretion of immunoglobulin, which then mediated systemic small-vessel vasculitis. Key Points • The pathogenesis of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) was not completely illuminated. • There was a lack of disease-specific laboratory abnormalities that can be used in the clinical diagnosis of HSP. • We compared the laboratory abnormalities in the immune system of HSP with KD and pneumonia. • Cellular immunity and humoral immunity were all involved in the pathogenesis of HSP. Cellular immunity was lower, which lead to the following pathological changes.