Adult onset anaphylactoid purpura with severe gastrointestinal involvement

Intern Med. 2003 May;42(5):436-42. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.42.436.

Abstract

We treated a case of adult-onset severe-form anaphylactoid purpura. This case had been diagnosed as anaphylactoid purpura pathologically by skin biopsy. However, his clinical manifestations were atypical in view of complicated massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Intensive therapy including corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide transiently improved his condition. Nevertheless, the beta-D-glucan value in peripheral blood was gradually elevated. Prophylactic use of fluconazole failed to prevent contraction of invasive mycosis. Finally, he suddenly suffered from diffuse cerebral hemorrhage. Postmortem examination revealed systemic invasive aspergillosis as the cause of death.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Age of Onset
  • Aged
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Aspergillosis / blood
  • Aspergillosis / chemically induced*
  • Aspergillosis / mortality
  • Aspergillosis / prevention & control*
  • Cyclophosphamide / adverse effects*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Fluconazole / therapeutic use
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology*
  • Glucans / blood
  • Humans
  • IgA Vasculitis / complications
  • IgA Vasculitis / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Prednisolone / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Glucans
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Fluconazole
  • Prednisolone