Medical expert of the article
New publications
What triggers nodular polyarteritis?
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Causes of nodular polyarteritis
Nodular polyarteritis is referred to polyethological diseases. Possible causes of its occurrence may be infectious factors, medications, vaccination. In classic nodular polyarteritis, most patients are diagnosed with hepatitis B virus infection. In juvenile polyarteritis, the onset of the disease and its aggravation coincide with a respiratory viral infection, tonsillitis or otitis, less often with a drug or vaccination provocation. Possible role of hereditary vulnerability of the vascular system and a predisposition to rheumatic diseases - often near relatives have various vascular, rheumatic and allergic diseases.
Pathogenesis of nodular polyarteritis
In the pathogenesis of nodular polyarteritis, the main role is played by immunocomplex processes with complement activation and accumulation of leukocytes in the zone of fixation of immune complexes. Immunocomplex inflammation develops in the wall of small and medium arteries. As a result, destructive-proliferative vasculitis, deformation of the vascular bed, slowing of blood flow, rheological and hemocoagulation disorders, thrombosis of the lumen of the vessels, tissue ischemia occur.