Primary Systemic Vasculitides (PSV) are autoimmune idiopathic diseases. However, various infections can lead to a clinical presentation which very closely mimics PSV. It is vital for a clinician to not miss infection-associated vasculitides (IAV) since, inadvertent immunosuppressive medications used in the treatment of PSV can be detrimental in IAV and can even be fatal.

Infections can mimic clinical presentations very similar to small, medium or large-vessel vasculitis and can also induce production of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) [1].

IAV can present with organ-specific involvement and associated constitutional symptoms such as fever, malaise, weight loss, arthralgia and myalgia. These constitutional symptoms occur even in PSV.

There are numerous infections which can cause vasculitis. A detailed description of all of them would be outside the scope of this review. Some common and important infections will be discussed in detail.