Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody Vasculitis in Pediatric Patients: Is the Incidence Rising?

Objectives: Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is an autoimmune disease usually seen in middle-aged and older adults but which is rare in children and adolescents. We sought to determine if there has been a change in the incidence of this disorder. Methods: Single-center, retrospective review. Results: Over the last 2 years, we have encountered a striking increase in the frequency of this disease in pediatric patients. All eight patients seen during this period had renal involvement and 5 patients rapidly progressed to end stage kidney disease. The prognosis was worse in younger patients, those with microscopic polyangiitis, and those with chronic kidney damage in the diagnostic renal biopsy. Conclusions: We report these observations to highlight this change in the epidemiology of ANCA-associated vasculitis and to promote earlier recognition and treatment of this severe form of glomerulonephritis.

Dynamically changing antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in granulomatosis with polyangiitis:A case report

BACKGROUND Granulomatosis with polyangiitis(GPA)is one of the most prevalent forms of the antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA)-associated vasculitis.GPA is characterized histologically by necrotizing granulomatous inflammation in addition to vasculitis.The diagnosis of GPA depends on clinical presentation,serological evidence of a positive ANCA,and/or histological evidence of necrotizing vasculitis or granulomatous destructive parenchymal inflammation.Cytoplasmic ANCA(c-ANCA)is positive in 65%-75% of GPA patients,accompanied by proteinase 3(PR3),the main target antigen of c-ANCA,another 5% of GPA patients had negative ANCA.CASE SUMMARY The patient,a 52-year-old male,presented with unexplained nasal congestion,tinnitus,and hearing loss.After a duration of 4 months experiencing these symptoms,the patient subsequently developed fever and headache.The imaging examination revealed the presence of bilateral auricular mastoiditis and partial paranasal sinusitis,and the ANCA results were negative.The anti-infective therapy proved to be ineffective,but the patient's symptoms and fever were quickly relieved after 1 wk of treatment with methylprednisolone 40 mg once a day.However,after continuous use of methylprednisolone tablets for 3 months,the patient experienced a recurrence of fever accompanied by right-sided migraine,positive c-ANCA and PR3,and increased total protein in cerebrospinal fluid.The and cyclophosphamide 0.8 g monthly,the patient experienced alleviation of fever and headache.Additionally,the ANCA levels became negative and there has been no recurrence.CONCLUSION For GPA patients with negative ANCA,there is a potential for early missed diagnosis.The integration of histopathological results and multidisciplinary communication plays a crucial role in facilitating ANCA-negative GPA.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis overlap syndrome in a 77-year-old man: A case report

BACKGROUND Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodyassociated vasculitis(AAV)are classically thought to cause renal impairment and small vessel vasculitis with different pathophysiologies.Their overlap constitutes a rare rheumatologic disease.To date,only dozens of such cases with biopsyproven glomerulonephritis have been reported worldwide typically in women of childbearing age.Here,we present a unique clinical case due to its rarity and individualized treatment of a Chinese man in his eighth decade of life.CASE SUMMARY A 77-year-old man was admitted to several hospitals for shortness of breath and received nonspecific treatments over the past 3 years.As his symptoms were not completely relieved,he visited our hospital for further treatment.Laboratory examinations revealed kidney dysfunction,severe anaemia,hypocomplementemia,glomerular proteinuria,and microscopic haematuria.Antinuclear antibodies,as well as anti-dsDNA antibodies,were positive.Computed tomography of the chest showed right pleural effusion.Renal biopsy was performed,and histology suggested crescentic glomerulonephritis,pauci-immune type.After treatment with plasmapheresis,glucocorticoid,and cyclophosphamide,the disease was in remission,and the patient remained in a stable condition for over 3 years post-hospital discharge.CONCLUSION Due to its complexity and rarity,SLE and AAV overlap syndrome is easily misdiagnosed.An accurate diagnosis and treatment at the earliest stage may significantly improve the condition and reduce irreversible organ injury.

Relapsing polychondritis with p-ANCA associated vasculitis: Which triggers the other?

Relapsing polychondritis(RP) is a rare autoimmune disease with chronic inflammatory/destructive lesions of the cartilaginous tissues. In one third of the cases it is associated with other autoimmune disorders, mostly with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA) associated vasculitis(AAV). We report three cases of RP with p-ANCA positive AAV. In the first patient RP developed 1.5 years after the onset of AAV. In the others the signs of RP were present before the onset of severe crescent glomerulonephritis. Patients responded well on steroid and cyclophosphamide. In dialysis dependent cases plasmapheresis was also used successfully. During the 2 and 1.5 years of follow up, they were symptom-free, and had stable glomerular filtration rate. The first patient died after four years of follow-up due to the complications of sudden unset pancytopenia,which raises the possibility of associated hemophagocytic syndrome. In the setting of RP or AAV physicians should always be aware of the possibility of sudden or insidious appearance of the other disease.

Renal Amyloidosis Secondary to ANCA-Associated Vasculitis:A Case Report

Renal amyloidosis secondary to anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA)-associated vasculitis is extremely rare.Here,we reported a 77-year-old woman with ANCA-associated vasculitis.Renal biopsy with Masson trichrome staining showed pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis,and electron microscopy showed amyloid deposition in the mesangial area.Immunofluorescence revealed kappa light chain and lambda light chain negative.Bone marrow biopsy revealed no clonal plasma cell.Finally,she was diagnosed as ANCA-associated vasculitis with secondary renal amyloid A amyloidosis.

Classification,diagnosis and treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis

Diagnosis of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies(ANCA)-associated vasculitis is usually not difficult in patient with systemic disease, including lung and kidneys involvement, and laboratory signs of inflammation. The presence of ANCA and the results of histological investigation confirm diagnosis of ANCAassociated vasculitis. Cyclophosphamide/azathioprine in combination with high dose steroids are used to induce and maintain remission of systemic vasculitis. The clinical trials also showed efficacy of rituximab that induces depletion of B-cells. Our understanding and management of ANCA-associated vasculitis improved significantly over the last decades but there is still a lot of debate over its classification, diagnostic criteria, assessment of activity and optimum treatment.

Clinical Predictors of Outcome in Patients with Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasmic Autoantibody-related Renal Vasculitis： Experiences from a Single-center

Background： Primary anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis （AAV） is a chronic autoimmune disease associated with multisystem dysfunction. Renal involvement is common and closely associated with outcome. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical determinants of mortality of patients with AAV-related renal injury in the first 2 years after diagnosis in a single West Chinese center. Methods： Demographic and laboratory parameters of 123 consecutive patients with AAV-related renal injury diagnosed in Renal Division and Institute ofNephrology, Sichuan Provincial People＇s Hospital between 2004 and 2012 were collected retrospectively. All patients were followed up for 2 years after diagnosis. Survivors were compared with nonsurvivors to identify the clinical baseline variables associated with mortality. Multivariate Cox regression model was used to determine the independent predictors of mortality. Results： Of the 123 patients, 46 （37.4%） died by the end of 2 years after diagnosis, with 41 （33.3%） patients dying within the first 12 months. In comparison with the survivors, Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score （BVAS）, the incidence of pulmonary hemorrhage and digestive system （DS） involvement, serum creatinine, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were significantly higher in nonsurvivors, whereas lymphocyte counts, hemoglobin, and complement 3 （C3） were significantly lower. Renal replacement therapy was more common in nonsurvivors. High BVAS （hazard ratio [HR] = 1.058, 95% confidence interval [CI]： 1.002-1. I17; P = 0.042）, pulmonary hemorrhage （MR = 1.970, 95% CI： 1.033-3.757; P = 0.04）, DS involvement （HR = 2.911,95% （7：1.212-6.911 ： P = 0.017）4 and serum creatinine 〉400 μmol/L （MR = 2.910, 95% CI： 1.271-6.664, P = 0.012） were independent predictors of death in patients with AAV-related renal injury. Conclusions： Patients with AAV-related renal injury have high early mortality. Those with high BVAS （particularly with pulmonary or DS involvement） and serious renal dysfunction should receive aggressive therapy and careful monitoring to reduce the occurrence of adverse events and improve prognosis.

Propylthiouracil induced anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis with bone marrow plasmacytosis and granulocytopenia

Antithyroid drugs are molecules known as thionamides that inhibit thyroid hormone synthesis by interfering with thyroid peroxidase mediated iodination of tyrosine residues in thyroglobulin. These extensively used drugs are associated with a variety of well-known side effects such as anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody （ANCA）-positive vasculitis, granulocytopenia and aplastic anemia. Recently, an atypical hematological finding -- bone marrow plasmacytosis, related to the use of methimazole -- was reported twice in English literatures, but bone marrow plasmacytosis with the use of propylthiouracil （PTU） has hardly been reported so far. Herein we present a case of a patient with Graves＇ disease who was initially investigated for plasma cell dyscrasia but finally diagnosed as PTU-induced bone marrow plasmacytosis with granulocytopenia and ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Drug-induced anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis

Objective:In recent years,an increasing number of drugs have been proved to be associated with the induction of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA)-associated vasculitis(AAV).This article reviews the latest research progress on drug-induced AAV.Data sources:We conducted a comprehensive and detailed search of the PubMed database.The search terms mainly included druginduced,ANCA,and vasculitis.Study selection:We summarized the original articles and reviews on drug-induced AAV in recent years.The extracted information included the definition,epidemiology,associated drugs,pathogenesis,clinical features,diagnosis,treatment,and prognosis of druginduced AAV.We also focused on the differences between drug-induced AAV and primary vasculitis.Results:The offending drugs leading to drug-induced AAV are almost from pharmacologic categories and we need to be vigilant when using these drugs.The pathogenesis of drug-induced AAV might be multifactorial.The formation of neutrophil extracellular traps is an important mechanism for the development of drug-induced AAV.The clinical features of drug-induced AAV are similar to those of primary AAV.Understanding the difference between drug-induced AAV and primary AAV is helpful to identify druginduced AAV.Stopping the offending drug at once after diagnosis may be sufficient for those patients with mild symptoms.Immunosuppressive therapy should only be used in patients with vital organs involvement.Conclusions:Patients with drug-induced AAV usually have a good prognosis if they stop using the offending drug immediately.Recent advances in research on AAV are expected to help us better understand the pathogenesis of drug-induced AAV.

从“五脏痹”理论探析抗中性粒细胞胞质抗体相关性血管炎的病机及治疗

抗中性粒细胞胞质抗体(ANCA)相关性血管炎在临床上较为少见,其症状常随损伤部位不同而表现各异,本病多累及肺、肾、消化、心血管等系统,其表现同中医“五脏痹”证候相似。本文以ANCA相关性血管炎的多脏器受累与中医“五脏痹”症候的相关性为基,根据各脏临床表现不同分别从“肺痹、肾痹、脾痹、肝痹、心痹”论治,体现了中医“以五脏为中心”的理论特点,并为ANCA相关性血管炎的中医诊疗提供新的辨证思路和诊疗依据。

Association between follistatin-related protein 1 and the functional status of patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis

Background:Follistatin-like 1(FSTL1)plays both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory roles in the inflammatory processes.We investigated whether serum FSTL1 could predict the current anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis(AAV)-specific indices.Methods:We randomly selected 74 patients with AAV from a prospective and observational cohort of Korean patients with AAV.Clinical and laboratory data and AAV-specific indices were recorded.FSTL1 concentration was determined using the stored sera.The lowest tertile of the short-form 36-item health survey(SF-36)was defined as the current low SF-36.The cutoffs of serum FSTL1 for the current low SF-36 physical component summary(PCS)and SF-36 mental component summary(MCS)were extrapolated by the receiver operator characteristic curve.Results:The median age was 62.5 years(55.4%were women).Serum FSTL1 was significantly correlated with SF-36 PCS(r=-0.374),SF-36 MCS(r=-0.377),and C-reactive protein(CRP)(r=0.307),but not with Birmingham vasculitis activity score(BVAS).In the multivariable linear regression analyses,BVAS,CRP,and serum FSTL1 were independently associated with the current SF-36 PCS(β=-0.255,β=-0.430,andβ=-0.266,respectively)and the current SF-36 MCS(β=-0.234,β=-0.229,andβ=-0.296,respectively).Patients with serum FSTL1≥779.8 pg/mL and those with serum FSTL1≥841.6 pg/mL exhibited a significantly higher risk of having the current low SF-36 PCS and SF-36 MCS than those without(relative risk 7.583 and 6.200,respectively).Conclusion:Serum FSTL1 could predict the current functional status in AAV patients.

ANCA-Associated Vasculitides—An Update

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides are characterized by destruction of small vessels, granulomatous inflammation of the respiratory tract and necrotizing glomerulonephritis. This review describes the clinical diagnosis and therapy as well as the patho-physiology of ANCA-associated vasculitides with a specific focus on the interplay of ANCAs with activated neutrophils and the deleterious pathophysiological consequences of neutrophil-endothelium interaction.

Collagen vascular disease-associated interstitial lung disease

Interstitial lung disease(ILD) is an important mani-festation of collagen vascular diseases. It is a common feature of scleroderma, and also occurs in dermatomyositis and polymyositis, mixed connective tissue disease, Sjogren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis. When present, it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, thus making early diagnosis important. In fact, in many patients, ILD may be the first manifestation of a collagen vascular disease. The most common symptoms are cough and dyspnea. The diagnosis is made based on pulmonary function tests showing restrictive lung disease and impaired oxygen diffusion and chest imaging showing ground glass infiltrates, interstitial thickening, and/or fibrosis. The most common histologic finding on lung biopsy is non-specific interstitial pneumonia, though organizing pneumonia and usual interstitial pneumonia may also be seen. Treatment is focused on addressing the underlying collagen vascular disease with immunosuppression, either with corticosteroids or a steroid-sparing agent such as cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, or mycophenolate, although the optimal agent and duration of therapy is not known. There are few clinical trials to guide therapy that focus specifically on the progression of ILD. The exception is in the case of scleroderma-associated ILD, where cyclophosphamide has been shown to be effective.

Urological manifestations and treatment of the primary systemic vasculitides

The primary systemic vasculitides(PSV) are a group of rare inflammatory disorders affecting blood vessels of varying size and multiple organs. Urological manifestations of PSV are uncommon. Testicular vasculitis is the most commonly reported finding and is associated with Polyarteritis Nodosa(PAN), Henoch-Sch?nleinPurpura(HSP), anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody associated Vasculitides(AAV), Giant Cell Arteritis(GCA) and Kawasaki disease. Prostatic vasculitis has been reported in association with GCA and AAV. Ureteric involvement has been noted in PAN, HSP and AAV. Other urogenital manifestations of PSV include genital ulceration and bladder dysfunction in Beh?ets Disease and haematuria which is commonly seen in many of the PSV. Finally, therapies used to treat the PSV, especially cyclophosphamide, are associated with urological sideeffects including haemorrhagic cystitis and urothelial malignancy. The aim of this review is to examine how the urological system is involved in the PSV. Each PSV is examined in turn, with a brief clinical description of the disease followed by a description of the urological manifestations and management. Identification of urological manifestations of PSV is important as in many cases symptoms may improve with immunosuppressive therapy, avoiding the need for invasive surgery. Additionally, patients who present with isolated urogenital PSV are at higher risk of developing subsequent systemic vasculitis and will need to be followed up closely.

耳鼻受累首发的肉芽肿性血管炎1例

1临床资料患者,女,57岁,既往体健,因“右耳不适1个月”于2022-01-03收治入院。1个月前患者因右耳耳闷伴轻度听力下降反复就诊于当地医院,考虑分泌性中耳炎,经口服抗生素、激素等药物保守治疗后未能完全缓解,收治于我科。专科查体:右耳耳道湿润可见淡黄色脓液,稍黏稠,量稍多,鼓膜充血肿胀,标志欠清,鼓室可见积液(图1A)。

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis,asthma as the first symptom,and subsequent Loeffler endocarditis:A case report

BACKGROUND Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis(EGPA),formerly known as Churg-Strauss syndrome,is a rare form of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodyassociated vasculitis characterized by asthma,vasculitis,and eosinophilia.CASE SUMMARY We report an atypical case of EGPA in a 20-year-old female patient.Unlike previously reported cases of EGPA,this patient’s initial symptom was asthma associated with a respiratory infection.This was followed by Loeffler endocarditis and cardiac insufficiency.She received treatment with methylprednisolone sodium succinate,low molecular weight heparin,recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide,furosemide,cefoperazone sodium/sulbactam sodium,and acyclovir.Despite prophylactic anticoagulation,she developed a large right ventricular thrombus.EGPA diagnosis was confirmed based on ancillary test results and specialty consultations.Subsequent treatment included mycophenolate mofetil.Her overall condition improved significantly after treatment,as evidenced by decreased peripheral blood eosinophils and cardiac markers.She was discharged after 17 d.Her most recent follow-up showed normal peripheral blood eosinophil levels,restored cardiac function,and a reduced cardiac mural thrombus size.CONCLUSION This case illustrates the swift progression of EGPA and underscores the significance of early detection and immediate intervention to ensure a favorable prognosis.

髓过氧化物酶-抗中性粒细胞胞质抗体相关性血管炎患者血清IgG4及Th1/Th2细胞因子检测分析

目的了解髓过氧化物酶(MPO)-抗中性粒细胞胞质抗体相关性血管炎(AAV)患者血清中IgG4及辅助性T细胞(Th)1/Th2细胞因子的表达情况。方法收集苏州大学附属第二医院50例AAV患者及40例同期健康体检者的血清样本,采用免疫比浊法测定IgG水平,采用ELISA法测定IgG4水平,采用流式细胞术微球阵列(CBA)技术检测血清中Th1/Th2细胞因子的水平,比较两组样本上述指标的差异,分析不同指标之间的相关性。结果共收集到50例AAV患者血清样本,其中MPO-AAV患者40例(80.0%)。MPO-AAV组血清IgG4水平为(1.13±0.33)g/L,IgG4/IgG比值为0.094±0.032,IL-4水平为(2.54±0.68)pg/mL,IL-6水平为15.22(8.83,59.52)pg/mL,均高于健康体检者[IgG4水平为(0.80±0.27)g/L,IgG4/IgG比值为0.070±0.028,IL-4水平为(1.96±0.60)pg/mL,IL-6水平为4.95(2.82,13.25)pg/mL],差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.01),且MPOAAV患者血清IgG4水平与IL-6水平呈正相关(r_(s)=0.508,P<0.05)。结论我院AAV患者中MPO-AAV比例较高。MPO-AAV患者血清中IgG4水平及IL-4、IL-6水平均升高,且IgG4升高与IL-6升高呈正相关,提示IgG4的升高与MPO-AAV患者Th1/Th2细胞因子平衡失调有关。

Epidemiology of Biopsy Proven Glomerular Disorders and Effect of Severe Cyclone on Its Incidence in Central Queensland Region of Australia

Aim: The objectives of this study are to determine the epidemiology of biopsy-proven glomerular disease (GD) in Central Queensland and the effect of a severe cyclone on its incidence and clinical phenotype. Background: Central Queensland (CQ) has a relatively high incidence of kidney disease. Since its biopsy service commenced in 2005, there have been no data on biopsy-proven GD. It has been suggested that GD incidence changes around times of natural disasters. In February 2015, the CQ region was affected by a category 5 Cyclone Marcia. This provides an opportunity to explore possible environmental triggers of GD. Methods: This was a single-centre retrospective observational study on biopsy-proven kidney disease in CQ. All kidney biopsies performed between January 2005 and December 2019 were included. Patients with biopsy-proven GD during 3 years before and after Cyclone Marcia (from 2012 to 2018) were analysed. Results: 170 native kidney biopsies occurred during the 15 years. The number of annual biopsies steadily increased from 7 to 16. The most common biopsy-proven kidney disease was IgA Nephropathy (27%) followed by diabetic nephropathy (20%). GD comprised 64% of biopsies. Unlike other GD, the incidence of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) significantly increased after cyclone (one pre- and eight post-cyclone, P value = 0.039). The majority of AAV cases occurred in the first year after the cyclone. Conclusion: Kidney biopsies in CQ provide important epidemiological data on biopsy-proven kidney disease. Cyclones have a possible effect on the incidence and clinical phenotype of ANCA associated vasculitis.