HYPERGAMMAGLOBULINEMIC PURPURA AND CRYOGLOBULINEMIA

Abstract
Primary hypergammaglobulinemic purpura in an 84 year old woman is described. In addition to her advanced age, she also showed cryoglobulinemia. The patient was further studied by immunofluorescent staining of the skin biopsy specimen, which showed deposition of IgG, IgM, fibrinogen and β1C in the vessel walls.These findings would seem to indicate involvement of the complement system in the pathogenesis of the vasculitis in this entity.