Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN): Pathogenesis and Clinical Findings



Medical Comorbidities Malignancies (most commonly hairy-cell leukemia)

Immunogenetic Predisposition: patient is genetically predisposed to a dysregulated immune response

Environmental triggers - Infectious/viral agents (commonly Hepatitis B)

   - Postulate 1 - Viral antigen-antibody complexes deposit in vasculature, causing lesions and activating cellular inflammatory response

   - Postulate 2 - Viral replication causes direct injury to vascular endothelial cells



 - Palpable or necrotic purpura

 - Malignant Hypertension

 - Renal Insufficiency

 - Myocardial ischemia

 - Heart failure

 - Diffuse myalgias

 - Orchitis: Testicular pain, erythema and/or swelling

 - GI Manifestations: Non-specific abdo pain, GI hemorrhage, Small intestine perforation

 - Peripheral sensory changes: Distal mononeuropathy multiplex



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