We report the case of a 36-year-old man who was referred with an asymptomat
ic eruption that started on both lower legs. This started shortly after bei
ng commenced on interferon-alfa for chronic hepatitis secondary to hepatiti
s C. Clinically, the eruption was consistent with a capillaritis (pigmented
purpuric dermatosis). Histology confirmed this to be lymphocytic vasculiti
s. Lymphocytic vasculitis is frequently identified in the salivary glands o
f patients who are hepatitis C positive. Although leukocytoclastic vasculit
is confined to the skin is frequently reported with hepatitis C, lymphocyti
c vasculitis is rarely reported. We consider that the lymphocytic vasculiti
s in our patient occurred as a result of interferon-alfa treatment because
of the strong temporal relationship between the onset of the skin eruption
and drug therapy.