Vasculitidies
Definition
Presence of leukocytes in the wall of blood vessels with subsequent damage to mural structures
Associated with infection
Associated with neoplasia
Associated with autoimmune disease
Classification
Size (Large (affect larger organs - Behcet's, GCA, Takayasu/ Medium (affect skin, gut, mm, nn) - Cutaneus, polyarteritis nodosa/ Small (affect organs with extensive capillary beds) - Churg-Strauss syndrome, cutaneous vasculitis, HSP, GPA, microscopic polyangitis)
Pathogenesis
Microorganism invade vascular structures --> deposition of immune comlpexes in wall --> anti-endothelial cells ab --> T cell activation
Clinical Features
Signs
Investigations
Bloods: p-ANCA, c-ANCA
Treatment
Source
Dr Duncan Cooke 2015
Presence of leukocytes in the wall of blood vessels with subsequent damage to mural structures
Associated with infection
- Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (eg HSP)
- Panarteritis nodosa
- Kawasaki's syndrome
Associated with neoplasia
- NHL
- HL
- Myelegenous leukaemia
Associated with autoimmune disease
- SLE
- RA
- Primary Systemic Sclerosis
- Sjogren's syndrome
Classification
Size (Large (affect larger organs - Behcet's, GCA, Takayasu/ Medium (affect skin, gut, mm, nn) - Cutaneus, polyarteritis nodosa/ Small (affect organs with extensive capillary beds) - Churg-Strauss syndrome, cutaneous vasculitis, HSP, GPA, microscopic polyangitis)
Pathogenesis
Microorganism invade vascular structures --> deposition of immune comlpexes in wall --> anti-endothelial cells ab --> T cell activation
Clinical Features
Signs
- Non blanching rash (due to destruction of small vessels)
- Palpable
Investigations
Bloods: p-ANCA, c-ANCA
Treatment
- Immunosuppression
Source
Dr Duncan Cooke 2015