"Triple-positive" renal limited vasculitis presenting with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis: A case report

Rationale:Coexistence of anti-glomerular basement membrane(anti-GBM)disease with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA)in a case of glomerulonephritis is often identified as a"double-positive"disease.Interestingly,the majority of"double positive"ANCA is myeloperoxidase(MPO)-ANCA and some of the MPO-ANCA positive cases showed intrarenal arteritis,suggesting an ANCA-associated kidney lesion.Proteinase 3-ANCA positive diseases are also rarely reported.Patients positive for all three antibodies,i.e.,triple-positive patients,are extremely rare.Patient's Concern:A 53 year-old female presented with anasarca and oliguria of 2 months'duration.Diagnosis:Pauci-immune type renal limited crescentic glomerulonephritis positive for MPO-ANCA,proteinase 3-ANCA,and anti-GBM antibody(triple-positive).Interventions:Intravenous high dose cyclophosphamide,oral azathioprine,intravenous methylprednisolone,and plasma exchange as per British Health Professionals in Rheumatology Guidelines.Outcomes:After one-month follow-up,anasarca and proteinuria were lessened,serum creatinine was normalized,titers of MPO-ANCA levels were decreased,and anti-GBM antibody levels were normalized.Lessons:Triple-positive renal limited vasculitis is rare and response to combined immunosuppressive therapy and plasma exchange can contribute to successful remission.

ANCA-Associated Vasculitis: Value of Apheresis in Initial Treatment

Introduction: Vasculitis associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA) can be grouped with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MAP), and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). Diagnosis of these rare pathologies is based on clinical presentation, the positivity of ANCA, and, if possible, histological proof of vasculitis. Our study describes a series of six cases of ANCA-associated vasculitis where due to the severity of symptoms apheresis sessions were started from the beginning of the therapy. Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective, single-center observational, monocentric study on all patients treated by apheresis for ANCA vasculitis in the period January 01, 2016 to December 01, 2019. Results: We identified six cases of ANCA vasculitis treated by apheresis over a 3-year period. The mean age was 61 ± 19 years;M/F gender ratio was 1:1. Initial renal damage in all patients was rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Inflammatory syndrome occurred in all patients with average CRP of 82 mg/L. All patients had positive ANCA at diagnosis. Four patients required renal replacement therapy at the time of diagnosis. The induction regimen consisted of rituximab associated with IV boluses of methylprednisolone. The apheresis techniques used were the same for all patients, i.e. plasmapheresis. Outcomes were favorable for five patients;only one patient became dependent on hemodialysis. No mortality occurred. Conclusion: This study analyzed practices for the management of patients with ANCA vasculitis. No patient was treated with cyclophosphamide as a first approach but rituximab instead. Plasmapheresis was given because of symptoms severity at initial diagnosis.