Necrotizing vasculitis as disease if immune complexes (clinical and immunopathologic picture)

Abstract

Necrotizing vasculitis (NV) as disease if immune complexes presents a multisystem disorder of skin and mucous membranes, which often affects other organs and systems. Usually NV manifests after infectious diseases, external influences (hypothermia) or medicines intake. Clinical symptoms are diverse and depend on type, diameter and localization of affected vessels, as well as on severity of concomitant inflammatory processes. A case of NV affecting kidneys in a 15 y.o. girl developed after hypothermia. Diagnosis was confirmed by histology and immunohistochemical staining. Detection of immune complexes (IgG, С3-component of complement) and fibrinogen/fibrin in walls of dermal vessel was a weighty argument for treatment with korticosteriods. This case illustrates the necessity of timely diagnosis and prescription of adequate therapy.