Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis Associated with Endocarditis in a Patient with Transposition of the Great Arteries and Mechanical Valve Replacement

Immunological vascular phenomena can be the initial manifestation of bacterial infection and endocarditis. Here, we report a rare case of leukocytoclastic vasculitis without immune complexes or cryoglobulinemia in a patient with infective endocarditis, congenital heart disease and a prior mechanical valve replacement. The patient completely recovered following antibiotic therapy and skin lesions disappeared without immune suppression, which suggested infection-mediated vasculitis. While the treatment of leukocytoclastic vasculitis typically involves immunosuppressive therapy, the treatment for infection-mediated vasculitis is eradication of the infection.

Source: Cardiovascular Pathology - January 22, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Christian Riehle, Gesine M. Scharf, Jan-Thorben Sieweke, Florian Zauner, Ulrike Flierl, Jens Treptau, Christos Zormpas, Jana Senf, Nicholas S. McCarty, Johann Bauersachs, Daniel G. Sedding, Mechthild Westhoff-Bleck Source Type: research