SCHONLEIN-HENOCH PURPURA ASSOCIATED WITH GASTRIC HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION

Schonlein-Henoch purpura is characterized by palpable purpura, colicky abdominal pain, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, arthralgias, and renal i nvolvement. Bacterial and viral infections, as well as drugs and disea ses associated with immune complexes, are thought to be responsible. W e describe the case of a 21-year-old woman with Schonlein-Henoch purpu ra and chronic active gastritis with erosions. Helicobacter pylori was found in gastric mucosa using the newly introduced, nontoxic, noninva sive C-13-urea breath test; infection was confirmed by gastric mucosal biopsy. After eradication of H. pylori with omeprazole and amoxicilli n, the skin changes, gastric complaints, and proteinuria disappeared. Ten months later, Schonlein-Henoch purpura recurred. H. pylori was aga in detected. After therapy, H. pylori was eradicated and the clinical manifestations faded. To our knowledge, H. pylori has not previously b een described as a cause of Schonlein-Henoch purpura.