Etiopathological and Clinical Correlation Study of Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis among Egyptian Popula

Journal of Pan-Arab League of Dermatologists Vol. 18, No. 1, February 2007 Page 63- 73 Etiopathological and Clinical Correlation Study of Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis among Egyptian Population Mohamed A El-Khalawany* & Amany Abd El-Hameed** Departments of Dermatology and Venereology*, Al-Hussein University Hospital, Al-Azhar University & Pathology**, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt Abstract Background: Vasculitis is inflammation of the blood vessel wall, and it can range in severity from a self-limited single-organ disorder to a life-threatening disease with the prospect of multiple-organ failure. Objective: To determine the etiologic factors and the clinical profile of adult patients with leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV). Patients and methods: A total of 78 adult patients (> 18 years) with LCV (55 males and 23 females) were collected from Dec 2004 - 2006 (2 years). All clinical data were recorded and a list of investigations was done for establishing the diagnosis, identifying the cause and looking for associated factors. Results: The most common type of skin lesions found was palpable purpura seen in 28 patients (35.9%). Extracutaneous manifestations were seen in 31 patients (39.7%). Chronic course was seen in 20 patients (25.6%). A total of 59 patients (75.6%) were classified as secondary vasculitis. The main etiological factor was the infection seen in 27 patients (34.6%) followed by drug induced vasculitis seen in 16 patients (20.5%). The most frequent non-specific laboratory abnormality was an elevated ESR found in 36 patients (46.2%). Viral serology was positive in 16 patients (20.5%). IgA deposits were positive in 37 patients (47.4%). Conclusion: In this study, secondary vasculitis was more common than primary vasculitis and infections were the major etiological and/or association factor of LCV. Hepatitis viruses (B&C) infections were common association and we recommend to be routinely investigated for patients presenting with LCV. Drug induced vasculitis was also a common cause of LCV explained by the wide self use of drugs especially antibiotics among the Egyptian population.

Journal of Pan-Arab League of Dermatologists
Vol. 18, No. 1, February 2007  Page 63- 73

Etiopathological and Clinical Correlation Study of Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis among Egyptian Population

Mohamed A El-Khalawany* & Amany Abd El-Hameed**

Departments of Dermatology and Venereology*, Al-Hussein University Hospital, Al-Azhar University & Pathology**, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Vasculitis is inflammation of theblood vessel wall, and it can range in severityfrom a self-limited single-organ disorder to alife-threatening diseasewith the prospect ofmultiple-organ failure.

Objective: To determine the etiologic factorsand the clinical profile of adult patients withleukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV).Patients and methods: A total of 78adult patients(> 18 years) with LCV (55 males and 23females) were collected from Dec 2004 - 2006(2 years). All clinical data were recorded and alist ofinvestigations was done for establishingthe diagnosis, identifying the cause and lookingfor associated factors.

Results: The most common type of skin lesionsfound was palpable purpura seen in 28 patients(35.9%). Extracutaneous manifestations wereseen in 31 patients(39.7%). Chronic coursewas seen in 20 patients (25.6%). A total of 59patients (75.6%) were classified as secondaryvasculitis. The main etiological factor wastheinfection seen in 27 patients (34.6%) followedby drug induced vasculitis seen in 16 patients(20.5%). The most frequent non-specific laboratoryabnormalitywas an elevated ESR found in36 patients (46.2%). Viral serology was positivein 16 patients (20.5%). IgA deposits were positivein 37 patients (47.4%).

Conclusion: In this study, secondary vasculitiswas more common than primary vasculitis andinfections were the major etiological and/or associationfactor ofLCV. Hepatitis viruses(B&C) infections were common association andwe recommend to be routinely investigated forpatients presenting with LCV. Drug inducedvasculitis was also a common cause of LCV explainedby the wide self use of drugs especiallyantibiotics among the Egyptian population.