Multi-center observational study to evaluate the histopathology and transcriptome of cutaneous lesions in patients with several different types of vasculitis.

This study employs a multi-center approach to evaluate cutaneous vasculitis across several forms of idiopathic vasculitis. Patients with cutaneous manifestations of vasculitis will be evaluated by teams of primary vasculitis care providers and Dermatologists in order to facilitate optimal selection of patients and sampling of lesions.

A punch skin biopsy at a site of active vasculitis will be the source of material for histopathologic and transcriptomic evaluation. The histopathology of cutaneous vasculitis will be characterized using a standardized approach.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Have a cutaneous lesion (purpuric macules, palpable purpura, retiform purpura, nodules, ulcers, or urticarial) believed to be related to active vasculitis

• Have a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of:

  • Cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CV)
  • Drug-induced vasculitis
  • Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA)
  • IgA vasculitis
  • Isolated cutaneous vasculitis
  • Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)
  • Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA)
  • Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN)
  • Urticarial vasculitis

• Be willing and able to provide written informed consent (or assent for those under

Exclusion Criteria:

• You are less than five years old
• Considered not to be a candidate for a biopsy or have a higher risk of developing an infection, bleeding, etc., from the biopsy, or a doctor believes that the risks for you participating in this study do not outweigh the potential benefit of learning information from your biopsy
• You have a neutrophil count (type of white blood cell) less than 1500/mm3, platelet count less than 50,000/mm3, or a hemoglobin less than 7 g/dL
• You have an uncontrolled disease that could prevent you from completing the study procedures
• You have an active infection at or near the potential biopsy site, have poor circulation, or have bony prominence or other structure that would increase your risk of complications if you participated in this study
• You are pregnant or nursing
• You are not able to provide informed consent

About 56 people with vasculitis will take part in this study at approximately 20 medical centers across North America. Patients with CV, DiV, EGPA, IgA vasculitis, GPA, MPA, PAN, isolated cutaneous vasculitis and urticarial vasculitis will potentially be enrolled into this study.

The protocol will be conducted at the major vasculitis centers in the United States and Canada participating in selected VCRC studies. Skin biopsy specimens collected as standard of care for these diseases will be retrieved and used in research.