Which type of vasculitis is associated with chronic Hepatitis B infection?

Polyarteritis nodosa is a type of vasculitis that is particularly associated with chronic Hepatitis B infection. This condition is characterized by systemic inflammation of medium-sized muscular arteries, leading to ischemic damage in various organs. Hepatitis B can induce immune complex formation, contributing to the pathogenesis of polyarteritis nodosa. The association stems from the ability of Hepatitis B virus to provoke an autoimmune response, which can lead to vasculitis.

Patients with polyarteritis nodosa often present with a variety of systemic symptoms, including fever, malaise, weight loss, and can show renal involvement, skin lesions, or symptoms related to affected organs. The presence of Hepatitis B can be a critical element in the patient's history and is used to guide treatment strategies, which may include immunosuppressive therapy tailored to the presence of viral infections.

In contrast, conditions such as Churg-Strauss syndrome and Granulomatosis with polyangiitis are associated with different underlying causes and mechanisms, and they do not have a direct link to Hepatitis B. Takayasu's arteritis is typically related to large vessel involvement and is not associated with chronic viral infections like Hepatitis B.