Review
The clinical implications of adult-onset henoch-schonelin purpura
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* Corresponding author: Guha Krishnaswamy krishnas@mail.etsu.edu
1 Departments of Internal Medicine, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, TN, USA
2 Department of Pathology, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, TN, USA
3 The James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Johnson City, TN, USA
Clinical and Molecular Allergy 2011, 9:9 doi:10.1186/1476-7961-9-9
Published: 27 May 2011Abstract
Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP) is a small vessel vasculitis mediated by IgA-immune complex deposition. It is characterized by the clinical tetrad of non-thrombocytopenic palpable purpura, abdominal pain, arthritis and renal involvement. Pathologically, it can be considered a form of immune complex-mediated leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) involving the skin and other organs. Though it primarily affects children (over 90% of cases), the occurrence in adults has been rarely reported. Management often involves the use of immunomodulatory or immune-suppressive regimens.