Hypocomplementic urticarial vasculitis with renal involvement

We report a case of hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis (HUV). The cli nical course was characterized by urticaria, angio-edema, pericarditis, joi nt pain and conjunctivitis. The laboratory findings revealed moderate prote inuria, erythrocyturia, normal renal function, normotension, reduction of C 3, C4 and C1q complement with elevated C1q antibodies. Antinuclear antibodi es were inconstantly positive. Renal biopsy showed a mild form of membranou s glomerulonephritis. Despite intensive therapeutic measures (dapsone, immu nosuppressives and immunoglobulins), relapses of urticaria occurred frequen tly. HUV is probably a minor form of systemic lupus erythematosus.