Abstract
Hypersensitivity vasculitis (HSV) or angiitis is also termed allergic vasculitis and has been defined to describe vasculitis of small blood vessels which is believed to be secondary to hypersensitivity mechanisms. This is a relatively common condition characterized clinically by the development of palpable purpuric rash over the lower limbs, buttocks, and forearms. With the exception of the skin, other organs and tissues such as joints and kidneys may also be involved. The main symptoms and signs are palpable purpura, fever, arthralgia, proteinuria, and microscopic hematuria. HSV is typically associated with chronic bacterial and viral infections and also with the use of various drugs. Histological examination of purpuric lesions reveals prominent vasculitis with endothelial swelling, intense polymorph or lymphocyte infiltration, and disintegration of polymorphs (leucocytoclasis), resulting in “nuclear dust”. The small blood vessels may also be thrombosed with fibrinoid changes and epidermal necrosis. The course of HSV is variable; it may last for 2–3 weeks or even several years.
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© 2008 Humana Press, a part of Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
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Pollack, S. (2008). Hypersensitivity Angiitis. In: Shoenfeld, Y., Cervera, R., Gershwin, M.E. (eds) Diagnostic Criteria in Autoimmune Diseases. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-285-8_28
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-285-8_28
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