Henoch-Schönlein purpura: simultaneous demonstration of IgA deposits in involved skin, intestine, and kidney.

Recent reports indicate that circulating IgA immune complexes may play a primary role in the pathogenesis of Henoch-Schönlein vasculitis and are responsible for the granular deposits of IgA seen in biopsy specimens of skin and kidney. A patient had classic Henoch Schönlein syndrome, including hematuria, purpura, and abdominal pain; tissue taken simultaneously from the small intestine, skin, and kidney was examined by light immunofluorescent, and electron microscopy. Granular deposits of IgA were found in small-vessel walls of the intestinal tissue and skin, and in the glomerular mesangium. This provides further support for the notion that IgA deposits produce tissue injury in intestine, skin, and kidney in Henoch-Schönlein syndrome.