Vol 3, No 1 (2017)
Case report
Published online: 2017-02-22

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Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome — a case report

Dominik Samotij, Marta Wojciechowska-Zdrojowy, Adrian Pona, Adam Reich
Forum Dermatologicum 2017;3(1):8-11.

Abstract

Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome (HUVS) is an uncommon small-vessel vasculitis presenting as a chronic urticaria with hypocomplementemia and the presence of anti-C1q autoantibodies. In most patients it is accompanied by a wide variety of extracutaneous manifestations such as arthritis, glomerulonephritis, ocular inflammation and pulmonary disease. We present a case of 49-year-old male with a 3-year history of recurrent urticaria accompanied by arthralgia, myalgia and gastrointestinal symptoms. The additional laboratory assessments revealed the presence of circulating anti-C1q autoantibodies in high titer. Histology of the lesional skin biopsy was consistent with leukocytoclastic vasculitis. The diagnosis of HUVS was confirmed in accordance to the currently adopted criteria. The described case emphasizes the necessity of high clinical suspicion when caring for patients with chronic urticaria and concomitant systemic symptoms.

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