[Periarteritis nodosa in an addict with a hepatitis B injection (author's transl)].

The authors describe a case of a drug addict with a hepatitis B who was found to have periarteritis nodosa and a nephrotic syndrome. The course was rapidly fatal and autopsy confirmed the diagnosis. This new case questions the hypothesis suggested of possible toxicity of hard drugs (especially the amphetamines) as being an etiological factor for periarteritis nodosa observed in addicts. Hepatitis B virus, which is involved in the etiology of periarteritis nodosa and some nephrotic syndromes (also reported in addicts) is, in fact, very prevalent in users of hard drugs by the parenteral route.