Analysis of seasonal tendencies in pediatric Henoch–Schönlein purpura and comparison with outbreak of infectious diseases

Hwang, Hyun Ho; Lim, In Seok; Choi, Byung-Sun; Yi, Dae Yong

Though the etiology of HSP is not clear yet, it is thought to be caused by an immune complex that forms after an infection by a bacteria, virus, or protozoa. [2, 7] The most common finding is deposition of IgA, and therefore, HSP is presumed to be a disease mediated by IgA immune complexes. [8] Recent studies have looked into the genetic basis of susceptibility to HSP. [9] It is known that the HLA-B34 and HLA-DRB1 * 01 alleles are associated with HSP patients. [10, 11] Nevertheless, approximately 50% of the patients with HSP have been infected with upper respiratory tract infections and have been reported to be associated with streptococci, adenovirus, parvovirus, and mycoplasma. [7, 12, 13] Since HSP occurs mainly after an upper respiratory tract infection, it is relatively more frequent in late autumn, winter, and spring when these infections are common, compared with summer. [4, 12, 13] However, there have been no studies using national health big data showing a direct relationship between HSP and various infectious diseases. In South Korea, HSP is a relatively common disease, but reports on the overall developmental patterns in children and adolescents in recent years are lacking, and only studies that investigate its Editor: Worawit Louthrenoo.