title: Pigmented purpuric dermatosis and hepatitis profile: a report on 10 patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pigmented purpuric dermatosis comprises a group of vascular disorders of unknown etiology. Histologically, it is characterized by lymphocytic capillaritis in the papillary dermis. Although leukocytoclastic vasculitis confined to the skin is frequently reported with hepatitis C, lymphocytic vasculitis is rarely reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients with pigmented purpuric dermatosis were studied clinically and histopathologically. Hepatitis profile was carried out in all of the patients to evaluate the possible relation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 10 patients, five tested positive for hepatitis C and two for hepatitis B antibodies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hepatitis C and B virus may play a role in the pathogenesis of pigmented purpuric dermatosis. Further case-control studies are necessary to confirm this conclusion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Al-Jazeera Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. dessouky@emirates.net.ae
authors.forename: M Wagdy
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Dessoukey
authors.forename: Hussein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abdel-Dayem
authors.forename: Mohamed F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Omar
authors.forename: Naeema E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Al-Suweidi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007868:Leg Dermatoses / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000276:immunology*; D011693:Purpura / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies