Plasmapheresis in a patient with "refractory" urticarial vasculitis.

Abstract

Immune complexes are found in the circulation of 30%-75% of patients with urticarial vasculitis and much evidence supports the role of these immune complexes in the pathogenesis of urticarial vasculitis. Plasmapheresis is effective for removing these immune complexes; however, there are few reports on the use of plasmapheresis in the treatment of urticarial vasculitis. We describe a case of "refractory" urticarial vasculitis in which the symptoms improved after plasmapheresis treatment. We suggest that plasmapheresis be considered as an option in patients with severe or treatment-resistant urticarial vasculitis.

• Authors: Ozgur Kartal, Mustafa Gulec, Zafer Caliskaner, Oral Nevruz, Turker Cetin, Osman Sener
• Journal: Allergy, asthma & immunology research (Allergy Asthma Immunol Res) Vol. 4 Issue 4 Pg. 245-7 (Jul 2012) ISSN: 2092-7363 [Electronic] Korea (South)
• PMID: 22754719 (Publication Type: Journal Article)