title: Is there a crossroad between infections, genetics, and Henoch-Schönlein purpura?
abstract: Henoch-Schönlein purpura is the most common systemic vasculitis in childhood, characterized by the presence of immunoglobulin A deposits in the small vessels of skin, gastrointestinal tube, joints and kidneys. Although there have been great efforts made in elucidating its pathogenic mechanisms, Henoch-Schönlein purpura etiology remains unknown: the basic scene comes across an abnormal inflammatory process deriving from immune reactions to various antigenic stimuli, which might be bacterial, viral, or parasitic agents, in a genetically prone individual. Then, a peculiar immune complex deposition in the vascular walls and overproduction of different proinflammatory molecules elicit different clinical signs, which might be differentiated according to either a specific trigger or a specific genetic make-up. The aim of this review is to make a critical appraisal of the last 15years' medical literature concerning the relationship between infections, genetics, and Henoch-Schönlein purpura in pediatrics.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pediatrics, Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Donato
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rigante
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Castellazzi
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bosco
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Esposito
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D011695:IgA Vasculitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D056647:Systemic Vasculitis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Child; Genetics; Henoch–Schönlein purpura; Infection