Which infection is associated with polyarteritis nodosa?

Which infection is associated with polyarteritis nodosa?

• A. HIV infection
• B. H. pylori infection
• C. None
• D. Chronic hepatitis B infection

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that polyarteritis nodosa is classically linked to hepatitis B virus infection. This medium-vessel vasculitis often arises from immune complex deposition of HBsAg-containing complexes in vessel walls, triggering complement activation and transmural necrotizing inflammation with aneurysm formation. That HBV-associated mechanism explains the typical clinical picture of PAN in patients with chronic HBV infection, including abdominal pain, hypertension, and renal artery involvement. While HIV can be associated with vasculitis and H. pylori with gastric disease, the strongest and most classic infectious association for PAN is chronic hepatitis B infection.

The key idea is that polyarteritis nodosa is classically linked to hepatitis B virus infection. This medium-vessel vasculitis often arises from immune complex deposition of HBsAg-containing complexes in vessel walls, triggering complement activation and transmural necrotizing inflammation with aneurysm formation. That HBV-associated mechanism explains the typical clinical picture of PAN in patients with chronic HBV infection, including abdominal pain, hypertension, and renal artery involvement. While HIV can be associated with vasculitis and H. pylori with gastric disease, the strongest and most classic infectious association for PAN is chronic hepatitis B infection.