Jejunal IgA and C3 deposition in adult Henoch-Schönlein purpura with severe intestinal manifestations.

An adult male patient with Henoch-Schônlein purpura and severe intestinal involvement is reported. Henoch-Schönlein purpura was documented by microscopic and immunofluorescent studies of the skin and kidney. At duodenojejunoscopy there were multiple ulcerations and thickening of mucosal folds. Microscopic and immunofluorescent studies of duodenum and proximal jejunum showed submucosal vasculitis and granular deposits of immunoglobulin A and complement components (C3) in the vessel walls, similar to those observed in the skin and kidney. This patient exhibited severe and prolonged intestinal lesions of Henoch-Schölein purpura, and was resistant to a 10-day course of total parenteral nutrition. However a dramatic clinical response was observed within 24 h after the initiation of plasma exchange therapy; steroids were not used. Intestinal involvement in anaphylactoid purpura may be associated with local immunologic abnormalities similar to those observed in cutaneous vessels and glomerular mesangium.