Cyclosporin A therapy for steroid-dependent Henoch-Schnlein purpura

Dan-Ching Huang, Yao-Hsu Yang, Yu-Tsan Lin, Bor-Luen Chiang
Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Municipal Hoping Hospital, Taiwan, ROC

Henoch-Schonlein purpura is one of the most common types of systemic vasculitis in children. Although recurrence is frequent, most cases are benign and self-limited. Standard treatment consists of supportive care and nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs and/or steroid. Here we report 2 cases of Henoch-Schonlein purpura, both of which had a prolonged and corticosteroid-dependent disease course. After treatment with cyclosporin A, the symptoms and signs subsided gradually in both cases with no recurrence after tapering of corticosteroid and cyclosporin A.

J Microbiol Immunol Infect 2003;36:61-4.