Henoch-Schonlein Purpura in a Newly Diagnosed HIV Patient

HIV infection is associated with multisystemic manifestations due both to secondary infections caused by a decrease in the CD4+ T-cell count and to the pathogenicity of the HIV virus itself. A common renal manifestation is HIV-associated nephropathy, which is frequently seen in the African population with the APOL1 gene mutation; however, other forms of glomerulopathy such as IgA nephropathy, commonly noted in other ethnicities, are also seen. Vasculitis has rarely been associated with HIV infection and mainly involves small blood vessels, although any size of blood vessel may be involved. The association of Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) with HIV is rare and not well understood. We describe a 53-year-old African American woman with a newly diagnosed HIV infection who presented with a purpuric rash over the bilateral lower extremities with haematuria. Initial work-up revealed renal dysfunction with elevated ESR. Urinalysis was positive for glomerular haematuria and sub-nephrotic range proteinuria. Serum complement level, c-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA), p-ANCA and anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) were negative. Renal biopsy revealed mesangial IgA deposits with crescent glomerulopathy and fibrinoid necrosis, while skin biopsy revealed leucocytoclastic vasculitis. A diagnosis of HSP was made based on American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria. The patient’s renal function and purpura improved with a 5-day course of steroid pulse therapy. This case of HSP in a newly diagnosed HIV patient is unusual for the presence of crescentic glomerulopathy. LEARNING POINTS: Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) associated with HIV infection is uncommon but documented; however, all four features of HSP are rarely seen together. Crescent glomerulopathy is rarely seen in HIV-associated HSP. HSP associated with HIV is treated with antiretroviral drugs, while the role of steroid and immunosuppressive therapy remains controversial.