Successful treatment of adult Henoch-Schönlein purpura with factor XIII concentrate.

We report the cases of three adult patients with severe abdominal complications of Henoch-Schönlein purpura who had low activity of factor XIII during the acute phase of the disease. In all three cases, abdominal symptoms and purpura immediately responded to heat-treated, placenta-derived factor XIII concentrate. No adverse effects were experienced. Factor XIII concentrate replacement should be considered as the initial treatment for severe abdominal symptoms in adult Henoch-Schönlein purpura associated with a decreased level of factor XIII activity.