Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis: report of a pediatric case

Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome (HUVS) is well described in adults but is quite rare in children. We report a pediatric case of HUVS initially diagnosed as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and then as Henoch-Schönlein purpura. Beginning at 3 years of age, our patient developed polyarthritis with hypocomplementemia. She subsequently experienced an intermittent purpuric rash beginning at age 4 years, and she continued to have episodic arthritis and rash for years. Hematuria and proteinuria were noted at 12 years of age; renal biopsy revealed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with membranous features. Serum complement evaluation revealed activation of the classical pathway, consistent with HUVS. Therapy with oral dapsone led to improvement in proteinuria. HUVS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric patients with glomerulonephritis, urticarial rash, arthritis/arthralgias, and obstructive pulmonary disease.     

Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome: a case report and literature review

Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome, as opposed to urticarial vasculitis or urticarial vasculitis syndrome, is a rare disease process where the exact pathophysiology remains unknown. This article discusses the case of a 34-year-old Hispanic man with an ongoing history of chronic urticaria comprising episodes induced by low ambient temperatures, emotional stress, and spontaneous occurrences. This article serves as a consolidated reference for specialists to comprehensively review the plethora of systemic manifestations that may accompany urticarial vasculitis and highlights new systemic complications reported in association with this disease which are also observed in this case.     

Hypocomplementemic vasculitis and renal involvement

Hypocomplementic urticarial vasculitis is a disorder that not only affects the skin, but other organs as well. We are describing a patient with this rare disorder and serious renal involvement that was treated with immunosuppressive therapy with good response and stabilization of the renal function. We emphasize the fact that renal involvement can occur with this disease and that the renal involvement is of the immune-mediate type and cannot be considered as benign as thought in the past.     

Normocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis inaugurating destructive polyarthritis.

Urticarial vasculitis is an entity characterized by recurrent bouts of urticaria and histological evidence of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. An underlying systemic disease is often present. Joint manifestations occur mainly in cases with hypocomplementemia. We report a case of destructive polyarthritis preceded by urticarial vasculitis without hypocomplementemia.     

Crescentic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis

We describe the association of crescentic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome. A 39-year-old woman presented edema and proteinuria and later a non-pruritic urticarial rash. Laboratory results showed nephrotic syndrome, hypocomplementemia and positive anti-C1q antibodies. Skin biopsy disclosed leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Acute renal failure developed. Renal biopsy revealed crescentic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. She was treated with corticosteroids and cyclosphosphamide with improvement of the renal function and partial remission of the nephrotic syndrome. Afterwards the nephrotic syndrome relapsed, mycophenolate mofetil in monotherapy was administered with reduction in proteinuria. As far as we know only 3 cases, 2 in children and one in an adult, of crescentic glomerulonephritis and hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome have been reported. In our patient renal manifestations preceded urticarial lesions. We provide information on the evolution during a 42-month follow-up.     

Crescentic glomerulonephritis complicating the course of a hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis

The authors report a case of crescentic glomerulonephritis leading to end-stage renal failure in a patient affected by a hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis (HUV). The patient's clinical course was characterized by the survey of several episodes of extra-renal vasculitis. We emphasize that HUV commonly considered as a limited form of vasculitis might in some cases have a dramatic evolution.     

Angioedema in a 47-year-old woman with hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome

Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome (HUVS) is a type III hypersensitivity reaction characterized by urticaria with persistent acquired hypocomplementemia. Although HUVS is uncommon, it is important for physicians to be familiar with this disease, as the initial presentation is often life-threatening angioedema. The author reports the case of a 47-year-old white woman with a history of HUVS. She presented to an outpatient clinic complaining of a rash and difficulty swallowing. Urticaria and angioedema were diagnosed. The patient was given epinephrine in the clinic and then transferred to the hospital. Laboratory testing confirmed urticaria, and the patient was given intravenous methylprednisolone sodium succinate and an additional dose of epinephrine. After 1 week, the patient's angioedema improved.     

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis associated with hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis after complete remission of membranous nephropathy

A 49-year-old-man developed proteinuria in 1978. He was diagnosed as having membranous nephropathy by renal biopsy and was treated with prednisolone. The proteinuria disappeared completely and the treatment was stopped. In 1995, after complete remission, he developed nephrotic syndrome with chronic urticaria and hypocomplementemia. Renal biopsy revealed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (type I) and skin biopsy showed leukocytoclastic vasculitis, which was compatible with hypocomplementemic vasculitis syndrome. Steroid therapy was very effective.     

Hypocomplementemic autosomal recessive hemolytic uremic syndrome with decreased factor H

We describe the clinical course, complement components, and pathological findings of 10 infants with autosomal recessive hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). All patients were members of one extended highly inbred Bedouin kindred. The median age of presentation was 2 weeks (range 1–20 weeks). Eight patients died, 2 patients are alive, on dialysis. Renal biopsies revealed thrombotic microangiopathy with a predominant early arteriolar involvement and subsequent development of ischemic glomerular changes. Immunofluorescence was positive for C3 in glomeruli. All patients had low complement components levels during and between relapses, and in some this was evident soon after birth and prior to the onset of symptoms. This deficiency could not be normalized by repeated plasma transfusions. Biosynthetic labelling of patients’ fibroblasts demonstrated normal rates of C3 protein synthesis. Serum factor H levels were greatly decreased or absent in 4 patients tested and moderately decreased in 15 of 23 healthy unaffected siblings and patients. This defect may cause complement activation and consumption, possibly at the endothelial cell level. Received April 18,1997; received in revised form and accepted January 27, 1998     

Hypocomplementemic proliferative glomerulonephritis with C3 nephritic-factor-like activity in multiple myeloma

Advanced renal failure, nephrotic-range proteinuria due to proliferative glomerulonephritis and multiple myeloma with circulating IgG2 lambda and free lambda light-chain paraproteins occurred in a 31-year-old male. Commonly established causes of renal failure in multiple myeloma were excluded. Immunofluorescence revealed heavy granular glomerular deposition of C3. Serum C3 was decreased, and C3c was increased. C3 nephritic-factor (C3 NeF)-like activity was demonstrated in the serum. Plasmapheresis and chemotherapy resulted in a decrease in paraprotein concentration up to 90%, a decrease in C3 NeF-like activity to negligible, normal serum complement levels and a marked improvement in both renal function and proteinuria. With reference to the literature, the possibility of a syndrome of paraproteinemia, C3 NeF-like activity and glomerulonephritis is forwarded.     

Systemic vasculitis

This paper is dedicated to a general and synthetic review of a large and heterogeneous group of diseases, entitled "Systemic Vasculites". Despite its rarity in clinical practice, they can be severe and even fatal, if a proper diagnosis and adequate treatment is not made. Among the several classifications, we have adopted the Chapel Hill classification based on its pathogenesis. As they are multiple entities, we will describe only the essential clinical aspects of the diverse vasculitis, including the diagnostic criteria of the American College of Rheumatology, which are very sensitive and specific. We will conclude with a note on the global strategy of treatment of each entity.     

Fortuitous vasculitis

A 43-year-old man with a cardiac device for dilated cardiomyopathy presented with fever, night sweats, and weight loss. Investigations revealed pancytopenia, acute renal failure, abnormal lung function, and raised inflammatory markers. A renal biopsy demonstrated pauci-immune necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis. He was diagnosed with pulmonary-renal antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-negative systemic small vessel vasculitis. He commenced immunosuppression with prednisolone and cyclophosphamide with recovery from pancytopenia and improvement in renal function 3 months later. Subsequently, a bone marrow culture grew Mycobacterium fortuitum. Isolation on repeat peripheral mycobacterial blood cultures prompted treatment with ciprofloxacin and clarithromycin. Four months later, he presented with neutropenic sepsis, influenza A/H1N1, and Aspergillus flavus pneumonia. Despite treatment he deteriorated. A transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a vegetation on the right ventricular pacing wire. The device was removed. The vegetation revealed acid and alcohol fast bacilli on Ziehl-Neelsen staining and grew M. fortuitum on culture, sensitive to ciprofloxacin and clarithromycin. Despite device removal and antimicrobial therapy, the patient succumbed to treatment-related complications. The association between glomerulonephritis and endocarditis is well known; however, this is the first case to our knowledge describing pauci-immune necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis in the context of M. fortuitum endocarditis. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for endocarditis in patients with a cardiac device who present with fever and pauci-immune necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis. Patients should be investigated with mycobacterial blood cultures, at least three sets of standard blood cultures and transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. Clinicians should beware the perils of immunosuppression in the face of an occult sepsis.