[Comparative study of the immunopathology of skin lesions and circulating immune complexes in leucocytoclastic vasculitis (Gougerot-Ruiter's disease) (author's transl)].

The authors report 10 cases of selected leucocytoclastic vasculitis (Gougerot-Ruiter's disease) and 20 cases of various vasculitis. Direct immunofluorescent studies were performed on the skin lesions. Complement deposition was found in all 10 cases of leucocytoclastic vasculitis, as opposed to immunoglobulin deposition found only in 4 out of 10 cases. In all 10 cases of leucocytoclastic vasculitis circulating immune complexes were detected by 2 p. 100 polyethylene glycol precipitation and by the C1q binding assay. Different classes of immunoglobulins were found in the circulating immune complexes suggesting the existence of different types of immune complexes in the disease. We found no correlation between the type of circulating immune complexes and skin deposits of immunoglobulins. The authors discuss the different physiopathological mechanisms which may be involved in the development of leucocytoclastic vasculitis.