Conditions that cause an abnormal protein content in the blood, typically in the form of immunoglobulins, can affect vascular fragility and lead to purpura.
Amyloidosis (see Amyloidosis) causes amyloid deposition within vessels in the skin and subcutaneous tissues, which may increase vascular fragility, causing purpura. In some patients, coagulation factor X is adsorbed by amyloid and becomes deficient, but this deficiency is usually not the cause of bleeding. Periorbital purpura or a purpuric rash that develops in a nonthrombocytopenic patient after gentle stroking of the skin suggests amyloidosis. Some patients with amyloidosis have macroglossia (enlarged tongue). Most patients have elevated serum levels of free light chains. The diagnosis is confirmed by tissue biopsy (eg, Congo red birefringence staining of fat pad aspirate).
Cryoglobulinemia produces immunoglobulins that precipitate when plasma is cooled (ie, cryoglobulins) while flowing through the skin and subcutaneous tissues of the extremities. Monoclonal immunoglobulins formed in Waldenström macroglobulinemia or in multiple myeloma (see Multiple Myeloma) occasionally behave as cryoglobulins, as may mixed IgM-IgG immune complexes formed in some chronic infectious diseases, most commonly hepatitis C. Cryoglobulinemia can also lead to small-vessel vasculitis, which can cause purpura. Cryoglobulins can be detected by laboratory testing.
Hypergammaglobulinemic purpura is a vasculitic purpura that primarily affects women. Recurrent crops of small, palpable purpuric lesions develop on the lower legs. These lesions leave small residual brown spots. Many patients have manifestations of an underlying immunologic disorder (eg, Sjögren syndrome, SLE). The diagnostic finding is a polyclonal increase in IgG.
Hyperviscosity syndrome (see Symptoms and Signs), usually resulting from a markedly elevated plasma IgM concentration, may also result in purpura and other forms of abnormal bleeding (eg, profuse epistaxis) in patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia. Marked elevations of other immunoglobulins (especially IgA and IgG3) can also be associated with hyperviscosity syndrome.
Last full review/revision September 2014 by David J. Kuter, MD, DPhil
Content last modified October 2014