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Relapsing cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa associated with streptococcal infections
Author(s) -
Albornoz M. Anthony,
Benedetto Anthony V.,
Korman Michael,
McFall Susan,
Tourtellotte Charles D.,
Myers Allen R.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-4362.1998.00493.x
Subject(s) - polyarteritis nodosa , medicine , pharyngitis , dermatology , vasculitis , disease , pathology
Background Polyarteritis nodosa is an aggressive, often fatal form of vasculitis associated with multi‐organ involvement. Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa is purported to be a more benign form of this disorder with involvement limited to the skin. Methods The identification of a female patient from childhood to adulthood documenting repeated episodes of cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa following bouts of recurrent streptococcal pharyngitis. Results Repeated bouts of streptococcal pharyngitis at ages 11, 28, and 33 years were followed by episodes of cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa, documented by histopathologic skin changes and clinical presentation, and confirmed by therapeutic management. Conclusions Various infectious and non‐infectious conditions have been linked both to the initiation and relapse of this disease. We describe a patient with recurrent episodes of cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa spanning a period of over 20 years with each episode appearing to be linked to a prior streptococcal infection.