ISSN:
1600-0560
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Background: Frequently, no underlying disease can be detected in patients with livedoid vasculopathy. For these forms, an unknown vaso-occlusive or thrombogenic process has been accused to play a role. Thus, a patient with livedoid vasculopathy was examined for different parameters which can be involved in coagulopathies.Methods: Laboratory studies for different autoantigen reactive immunoglobulins, cryoglobulins, and circulating immune complexes were carried out. Besides dermatopathologic examination, a biopsy specimen was analyzed by direct immunoflourescence for immunoglobulin (Ig) and complement deposits. Furthermore, hemostaseological function tests including activated protein C (APC) resistance were undertaken.Results: Positive only at very low titres were antinuclear antibodies and c-ANCA, all other parameters were within normal ranges or negative. Direct immunofluorescence revealed IgM, C3 and fibrogen deposits. Hemostaseological function tests demonstrated a pathologic activated protein c resistance and PCR analysis a heterozygous defect of the factor V (Leiden).Conclusions: The diagnosis of livedoid vasculopathy associated with factor V mutation (Leiden) was made. Since the underlying cause for livedoid vasculopathy often remains unknown, we suggest that hemostaseological function tests including APC resistance and factor V gene mutation analysis should be carried out. Further studies have to follow in order to elucidate the role of mutant factor V in livedoid vasculopathy and in cutaneous ulcerations.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0560.2000.027008410.x
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