Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 28, 2025

Granulocyte-dependent Autoantibody-induced Skin Blistering
Published on: October 12, 2012
A 67-Year-Old Male with Diffuse Purpuric Vesicles and Bullae
Zizi Yu1, Yun Xue2,3, Ruth Foreman4
1Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Abstract:
Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is a small-vessel vasculitis that most commonly affects the postcapillary venules in the skin. It classically presents with purpuric macules that progress to palpable purpura on the bilateral shins 7-10 days after an inciting medication or infection, or in the setting of connective tissue disease, malignancy, or inflammatory bowel disease. Up to 50% of cases have no identifiable cause. Lesions on the buttocks, abdomen, upper extremities, and face are uncommon, as are bullae and ulcers. We present a rare case of bullous LCV manifesting as grouped vesicles on the face and body mimicking varicella-zoster infection.
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