Relapsing Henoch-Schönlein purpura in an adult patient associated with hepatitis B virus infection

J Dermatol. 2005 Oct;32(10):839-42. doi: 10.1111/j.1346-8138.2005.tb00856.x.

Abstract

Henoch-Schölein purpura is usually a disease of children presenting with arthralgia, abdominal pain, renal involvement, and palpable purpura. Viral and bacterial infections may have a role in its etiology. We present a 32-year-old male patient with recurrent Henoch-Schölein purpura in association with a chronic hepatitis B infection of ten years duration. The patient had received lamuvidine and interferon-alpha for the treatment of hepatitis B infection for a year. The skin lesions disappeared with the treatment of the hepatitis B infection. Four months after discontinuation of the therapy, the purpuric papules reappeared with reactivation of the hepatitis B infection. Although rarely reported, hepatitis B virus infection should be considered in patients with Henoch-Schölein purpura.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / complications*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • IgA Vasculitis / complications*
  • IgA Vasculitis / diagnosis
  • IgA Vasculitis / pathology
  • Male
  • Recurrence