Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis Associated With Positive HTLV-III Serological Findings

To the Editor.— The Henoch-Schonlein type of vasculitis is one acute variety of leukocytoclastic vasculitis that manifests as "palpable purpura" and is frequently associated with systemic manifestations. 1 To our knowledge it has been seen in one previous homosexual male patient who had no clinical or serological manifestations of acute acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or its variants. 2 I report here the case of a homosexual man with Henoch-Schonlein purpura and positive human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III serological findings with massive gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC). The adverse outcome was atypical of the general course seen in this disease, as most patients have resolution and recurrence with ultimate spontaneous resolution. Report of a Case.— A 43-year-old homosexual male patient was admitted to the hospital for lower-extremity skin lesions, joint pains, swollen feet, severe abdominal pain, hematuria, and bloody diarrhea. He had had hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B