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Cryoglobulinaemia is a rare condition characterized by serum immunoglobulins or immunocomplexes which precipitate at temperatures below 37°C and redissolve on warming. Cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis develops in ~ 15% of patients positive for cryoglobulin serology and is often associated with an underlying infectious, autoimmune or lymphoproliferative disease. We describe a case of cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis, which manifested as purpura and rapidly deteriorating renal function in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and coexistent parvovirus infection. This case illustrates the complex pathophysiology of cryoglobulinaemic renal injury, and suggests that infection may serve as a trigger in the presence of other pathophysiological factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]