Henoch-Schönlein syndrome associated with human Parvovirus B19 primary infection

We report a case of Henoch-Schönlein syndrome associated with human Parvovirus B19 primary infection. The patient, a 27-year-old Filipino woman, presented with an erythemato-papular-purpuric eruption localized to the lower limbs. General symptoms and signs included fever, hypotension, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, inguinal lymphadenopathy and polyarthralgia. Laboratory examinations showed leukocytosis, increase in total serum IgA, proteinuria and haematuria. Circulating IgA immune complexes were also present. The ELISA test for anti-human Parvovirus B19 IgM was positive. Histopathological examination revealed a leukocytoclastic vasculitis. This case confirms that also in adult patients, Henoch-Schönlein syndrome may be associated with human Parvovirus B19 infection.