Adenovirus: a possible trigger for IgA vasculitis in children

IgA vasculitis (IgAV), also called Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP), is an immune complex vasculitis characterised by IgA1-dominant immune deposits affecting small vessels (predominantly capillaries, venules or arterioles). It often involves the skin and gastrointestinal tract, frequently causes arthritis and rarely causes vasculitis in the kidney indistinguishable from IgA nephropathy. It usually presents as a purpuric non-blanching rash mostly on the lower limbs, although it may extend to the upper limbs and the trunk, and more rarely to the face. Respiratory tract infection or a history of exposure to antigens from certain foods, insects, drugs or vaccines may trigger the pathogenesis of IgAV. Adenovirus mostly causes acute respiratory diseases and occasionally causes gastroenteritis. Literature on the adenovirus as a trigger or direct involvement in the onset of IgAV is scarce. We report a few cases where IgAV is associated with adenovirus infection, and more research is required to establish this association.