Infective Endocarditis: A Rare Trigger of Immunoglobulin A Vasculitis in an Adult

Abstract

Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgA vasculitis) is a small-vessel vasculitis usually triggered by bacterial or viral infections, antibiotics, and vaccinations. Although it is a disease of the pediatric population, it can occur in adults as well. We present a case of IgA vasculitis that was triggered by underlying infective endocarditis (IE). IE is a rare and fatal cause of the vasculitis that requires timely diagnosis and management to prevent catastrophic outcomes. Our patient was treated with antibiotics for IE, which led to the resolution of vasculitis.

Overview of infections as an etiologic factor and complication in patients with vasculitides

“…Immunosuppressive therapy with glucocorticoids underpins current treatment for AAV. Agents targeting the complement system such as eculizumab, a monoclonal antibody that prevents the formation of C5a and C5b-9, and avacopan, a small molecule inhibitor of C5aR, may represent an alternative to steroids [9,79].…”