Sindrome di Schoenlein-Henoch

Vasculitis complicating Cystic Fibrosis (CF) has been rarely reported. We describe a case of CF patient with a generalised Schoenlein-Henoch Purpura (SHP) characterised by neurological, kydney and cardiac involvement. Given the immunological origin of the vasculitis, CF patients present some conditions that can induce an hyperergic immune response: bronchial chronic microbial infection, prolonged antibiotic treatment, pancreatic enzymes, bronchodilators, mucolytics and other drugs, are factors that represent a considerable antigenic reserve, on the other hand, the constant increase of serum immunoglobulin levels and sometimes of circulating immunecomplexes seem to facilitate the onset of vasculitis, especially SHP, in this group of patients.